SCORCHED EYELASHES - DO WE TREAT THEM RIGHT

Scorched eyelashes and burned eyelids are a common finding in facial b urns, though the eye itself is often spared. Affected patients often c omplain of foreign body sensation and ocular discomfort in the absence of objective physical findings, other than scorched eyelashes and bur ned eyelash particles in the conjunctival sacs. This study was designe d to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic trimming of scorched eyelas hes as a treatment for these findings and complaints. Eleven consecuti ve facial burn patients with bilateral eyelash scorching and no accomp anying ocular damage were included. The eyelashes of one eye were trim med, and those of the fellow eye served as untreated controls. Opthalm ic examinations were performed and eye-related complaints noted every other day for 10 days. We found that symptoms of foreign body sensatio n and discomfort occurred at a lower rate in the treated eyes (P<0.002 ) and no scorched eyelash particles were found in their conjunctival s acs (P< 0.004) as compared to the untrimmed side. Conjunctival hyperem ia was reduced. We suggest that shedding of scorched eyelash particles is a major cause of the ocular complaints in facial burn patients. Tr imming the eyelash affords a simple and effective method of prophylact ic treatment. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI. All rights reserved.