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Why Is Hair Growing In The Corner Of The Eye?

Why Is Hair Growing In The Corner Of The Eye?

Do you have the feeling that your eye looks bigger than it is because of all the hair growing in the corner? Well, that is not an optical illusion. But what could be causing your eyelashes to grow right next to your eyeball? The answer might surprise you.

Why Is Hair Growing In The Corner Of The Eye?

A quick Google search will tell you that this condition is “trichiasis.” Trichiasis is a common eye disease in which the eyelashes point inward toward the eyeball. It can be due to an infection, injury, or other factors. The hair growth can be removed with surgery or treated with medication to stop it from growing back again. Read on for more information.

What Causes Trichiasis?

Here are some of the common causes.

1. Blepharitis

Trichiasis can be a symptom of blepharitis. The condition affects the eyelids and lashes, causing crusting on the lids and redness around the eyes. A bacteria causes it, or yeast builds up in your eyelid glands that create inflammation.

It is not entirely clear why it causes hair to grow in the corner of your eye, but it is due to some blockage. Whatever the reason may be, blepharitis can lead to trichiasis or vice versa.

Trichiasis caused by this condition must get treated early on because if you ignore it for long, the hair will continue growing and damage your eyesight.

2. Trichotillomania

It is the term used for people who compulsively pull out their eyelashes. If you are one of these individuals, there’s a chance that this habit could lead to trichiasis. It might seem like an easy fix for your problem, but it can cause more damage than good and may even leave you with permanent hair loss.

You can get relief from your symptoms by taking medications to stop the pulling behavior and regrow lashes in the future.

3. Cancer

Lymphoma and leukemia are examples of cancers that can cause trichiasis. So how does cancer lead to the condition? There is currently no scientific evidence explaining why it happens, but studies suggest that the tumors in your body may affect other parts like the eyelids leading them to grow hair. If you’re dealing with either one of these cancers, your doctor may help you with treatment.

4. Injury

In the most severe cases, trichiasis can be a result of an injury to your eye. It could have been from a corneal abrasion or damage during cataract surgery. It might not be something that you would expect as being one of the causes of the condition, but it is possible.

Other causes could be the result of eye disease, surgery, or a congenital defect.

Why Is Hair Growing In The Corner Of The Eye?

Photo Courtesy of the
American Academy of Ophthalmology

Treatment Options For Trichiasis

Since a variety of factors cause, different trichiasis treatments are used depending on the cause. For example, blepharitis can get treated using antibiotics or antifungal medications that kill yeast and bacteria in the eyelids.

For trichotillomania, your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy and habit reversal training to help you stop pulling out your eyelashes. If cancer is the reason for this condition, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation could get rid of it.

Whatever the cause behind your problem might be, trichiasis gets treated. However, it is essential to address the issue before it worsens and causes more damage like scarring or eyelashes growing inside your eye. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to see a doctor immediately for treatment options that work best for you.

What Happens If Left Untreated

1. Damage Your Eyesight

If you don’t seek trichiasis treatment, the hair will continue to grow and damage your eye. Over time, they can scratch or poke into your cornea, resulting in a severe infection that requires hospitalization. If not treated immediately, it could lead to blindness. If that happens, you will have to wear an eyepatch for the rest of your life.

2. Grow Inside Your Eye

If hair keeps growing in the corner of your eyes and it isn’t treated, there is a chance that one of them could grow more profound into your eyeball. If that happens, you will need corrective surgery to remove the rogue lash, so save yourself time and money by getting help when you first notice symptoms.

What Are Possible Complications

If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible. There are many treatment options available. It is important not to let trichiasis continue for too long, or it can lead to severe complications like blindness, which we already mentioned above. Scarring may also occur depending on the severity of your condition.

The severity of trichiasis depends on the onset and growth rate of your lashes, which is why it’s essential to get help right away instead of waiting for symptoms to worsen or, worse yet, ignoring them completely.

Early treatment can prevent future complications like blindness, so if you are experiencing any hair growth in your eyelashes, make sure to see your doctor immediately.

What’s The Difference Between Trichiasis And Distichiasis?

Distichiasis is similar to trichiasis because it causes hair growth in the corner of your eye. Still, this time, you’ll have two lashes instead of one growing outwards from an abnormal spot on your eyelid. If these hairs start to rub against your cornea, it can lead to inflammation and create a painful condition called blepharitis.

Distichiasis is also known as Meibomian gland dysfunction, which refers to an eyelid disorder that causes the glands near your lashes to produce extra oil leading them to stick together and causing problems with blinking. When these glands get clogged up, the oil cannot flow, leading to inflammation and other issues like sties.

How Can You Prevent This Condition?

Many things can contribute to trichiasis and distichiasis, so it’s essential to do what you can at home for prevention. If your eyelids don’t close all the way or if they become inflamed quickly, wash them gently every day with cool water and a gentle cleanser like baby shampoo. Never rub your eyes because it can irritate them and worsen symptoms over time, so always remember to wash with clean hands.

Conclusion

As you can see, trichiasis can be a serious condition if left untreated, so make sure to take the appropriate steps to prevent further complications. If you think you may have the disease or experience any symptoms of blepharitis, contact your doctor immediately.