The effect of 0.02% mitomycin C injection into the hair follicle with radiofrequency ablation in trichiasis patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of 0.02% mitomycin C on eyelash regrowth when injected to the eyelash hair follicle immediately after radiofrequency ablation.

METHODS: We prospectively included 21 trichiasis patients from June 2011 to October 2012. Twenty eyes of 14 patients were treated with 0.02% mitomycin C to the hair follicle immediately after radiofrequency ablation in group 1, while radiofrequency ablation only was conducted in ten eyes of seven patients in group 2. Recurrences and complications were evaluated until six months after treatment.

RESULTS: One hundred sixteen eyelashes of 20 eyes in group 1 underwent treatment, and 19 (16.4%) eyelashes recurred. Eighty-four eyelashes of ten eyes in group 2 underwent treatment, and 51 (60.7%) eyelashes recurred. No patients developed any complications related to mitomycin C.

CONCLUSIONS: Application of 0.02% mitomycin C in conjunction with radiofrequency ablation may help to improve the success rate of radiofrequency ablation treatment in trichiasis patients.