Trachomatous Trichiasis Clinical Trial
Official title:
A Randomised Controlled Trial of Epilation Verses Immediate Surgery for the Management of Minor Trachomatous Trichiasis
Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Recurrent infection by
Chlamydia trachomatis causes a gradual scarring process of the inner surface of the eyelid
(conjunctiva) leading to in-turning of the eyelids (entropion) and lashes touching the eye
(trichiasis). The rate of progression and the severity of disease are variable. Some people
develop severe disease with extensive entropion and trichiasis, whilst others have a mild
problem with only a few lashes touching the eye, which does not progress.
In more advanced cases there is a broad consensus that the entropion / trichiasis should be
corrected by surgery. In mild cases (minor trichiasis: 1-5 lashes touching the eye) the
optimal treatment is uncertain. Some advocate early surgery to turn the eyelid out for any
individual with one or more lashes touching any part of the eye. Others consider this to be
too early for surgical intervention, as surgery can have a high recurrence rate and
complications can arise. Instead, they recommend that minor trichiasis can be managed by
epilation (pulling out lashes with forceps). In many endemic regions the uptake of surgery
is low, with many patients preferring to epilate for mild disease.
The primary purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of immediate surgery to regular
epilation for the management of minor trichiasis. The epilation would be done by a person
with good eyesight using proper epilation forceps.
n/a
Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
| Status | Clinical Trial | Phase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed |
NCT00522860 -
A Trial of Non-absorbable Versus Absorbable Sutures for Trichiasis Surgery
|
Phase 4 |