Effect of Trichiasis Surgery on Visual Acuity Outcomes in Ethiopia

Objectives: To determine the effect of trichiasis surgery on visual acuity. Methods: A total of 439 participants in the Surgery for Trichiasis, Antibiotics to Prevent Recurrence (STAR) trial had visual and subjective concerns measured before and 6 months after surgery. Trichiasis surgery was performed in at least 1 eye by integrated eye care workers. Visual acuity was measured using illiterate E versions of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts with standardized, forced-choice procedures. Improvement was defined as improvement in visual acuity greater than 1 line (5 letters). Results: The mean improvement in visual acuity for the eyes that had surgery was 0.129 logMAR units (P<.001). Surgery was associated with improvement in visual acuity compared with no surgery (odds ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.70). Independent predictors of visual acuity improvement in the eyes that had surgery included the number of lashes touching the globe prior to surgery and baseline visual acuity. Among patients, 93.8% described significant pain and 90.4% significant photophobia at baseline compared with only 1.4% and 0.9%, respectively, following surgery. Conclusions: Surgery to correct trichiasis appears to provide significant visual acuity improvement as well as a decrease in subjective concerns in patients with trachomatous trichiasis.