Trichiasis ercurrence in Nother Ethiopia: a one year prospecitve study of Trachomatous Trichiasis surgery done by integrated eye care workers

Abstract

Background: Blindness due to trachomatous trichiasis can be prevented by simple eyelid surgery that can be performed by trained nurses. Objective: To evaluate the post-operative outcome of posterior tarsal rotation done by integrated eye care workers (IECWs) at the twelfth postoperative month. Methods: A prospective study to evaluate trichiasis surgery for recurrence was conducted in Yilmana Densa District. Trained IECWs did transverse tarsotomy with lid margin rotation for 455 patients with trichiasis following the standard procedure. Post-operative follow-up evaluation was done at the 12 th month by IECWs who neither took part in the operation nor knew the specific surgeons for the corresponding patients.