What characterizes trichiasis?

Trichiasis is characterized by inward growing eyelashes that can irritate the eye and cause discomfort. When the eyelashes grow towards the eye instead of away from it, they can come into contact with the cornea and conjunctiva, leading to symptoms such as redness, tearing, and even potential damage to the eye over time. This condition often requires treatment to alleviate symptoms and protect the eye from injury.

Other symptoms or conditions listed, such as eyelashes falling out, redness of the eyelids, and loss of vision, are not specifically indicative of trichiasis. Eyelash loss can occur due to various factors including genetics or conditions like alopecia, whereas redness of the eyelids can be associated with several eyelid disorders or infections that are not exclusive to trichiasis. Loss of vision can result from many ocular issues, but it is not a direct characteristic of inward-growing eyelashes.