Abstract

In the management of trachomatous cicatricial entropion and trichiasis numerous surgical options are available to the surgeon, who, however, must choose the correct technique suitable to the severity of the condition. In general, severe cases do better with a graft of mucous membrane or skin. In this paper the use of another graft material, homologous sclera, in correcting entropion and trichiasis is discussed. A 1.5 to 2 mm wide strip of fresh or preserved sclera was used as an inlay in a grey-line split technique with severance of pretarsal and Riolan's fibres in 155 entropion corrections in 136 patients. There was a success rate of 92.3% during the observation period of 15 months. Isolated trichiatic lashes were seen in 7.7%. Minor complications occurred, such as granulomas and partial sloughing of grafts, but did not affect the ultimate results.