Oculoplastic Surgery
Electrolysis for Ingrown Eyelashes
- Fast-tracked appointments available
- 0% finance
What Are Ingrown Eyelashes?
Overview
Ingrown or misdirected eyelashes — a condition known medically as trichiasis — occur when eyelashes grow inward towards the surface of the eye rather than outward and away from it. Even a single rogue lash in contact with the delicate cornea can cause significant irritation, as it rubs against the ocular surface with every blink.
Trichiasis is not simply a cosmetic concern — it is a clinical condition that can lead to corneal abrasions, recurrent infections, and in severe or long-standing cases, permanent scarring of the corneal surface. Prompt specialist assessment and treatment is important.
Symptoms of Trichiasis
These symptoms are frequently mistaken for dry eye syndrome or allergic conjunctivitis. If you are experiencing persistent eye discomfort that has not been resolved by drops or other treatments, trichiasis may be the underlying cause and a specialist opinion is advisable.
Foreign body sensation
A persistent sensation of something in the eye (foreign body sensation)
Redness & soreness
Redness, irritation, and soreness of the eye
Watering ·
Watering eyes
Light sensitivity
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Recurrent infections
Recurrent eye infections or conjunctivitis
Blurred vision
Blurred vision in more severe or long-standing cases
What Causes Ingrown Eyelashes?
- Chronic eyelid inflammation (blepharitis).
- Scarring of the eyelid margin following trauma or previous surgery.
- Inflammatory conditions such as trachoma or ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.
- Entropion (inward turning of the eyelid), which causes lashes to rotate onto the eye.
- Idiopathic causes — in some patients no clear underlying trigger is identified.
Treatment
Why Electrolysis Is the Gold Standard Treatment
Temporary measures — including manually plucking or epilating misdirected lashes — provide only short-term relief.
Lashes regrow within weeks, meaning the cycle of irritation continues indefinitely.
Repeated plucking can also cause the follicle to become inflamed and produce increasingly coarse, irregular hairs over time.
Electrolysis offers a permanent solution. A fine probe is inserted precisely into the hair follicle and a controlled electrical current destroys the follicle at its root.
Once ablated, the lash usually does not grow back, although some cases may require repeat treatment.
The treatment is highly targeted — only the problematic follicles are treated, with surrounding tissue remaining unaffected.
At Cathedral Eye Clinic, electrolysis for trichiasis is performed by Mr Sri Kamalarajah using specialist ophthalmic-grade equipment.
As an oculoplastic surgeon rather than a general practitioner, he is uniquely qualified to assess and treat the underlying cause of trichiasis alongside lash removal, providing a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simple epilation.
Meet your Surgeon
Mr Sri Kamalarajah
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon & Glaucoma Specialist
Mr Sri Kamalarajah is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with a specialist interest in oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery.
With over 20 years of experience in the field, he brings a wealth of expertise to every procedure he performs at Cathedral Eye Clinic.
Your Patient Journey at Cathedral Eye Clinic
Detailed Consultation
Your consultation with Mr Kamalarajah will begin with a careful examination of your eyelids and ocular surface. He will identify which lashes are misdirected, assess any corneal involvement, and determine whether trichiasis is occurring in isolation or as a consequence of an underlying structural problem such as entropion. A personalised treatment plan will be discussed with you, including the number of sessions likely to be required and what to expect from the procedure.
Procedure
Electrolysis is performed in the clinic as an outpatient procedure. A topical or local anaesthetic is applied to ensure your comfort throughout. The procedure is precise and methodical — each problematic follicle is treated individually. Depending on the number of lashes involved, treatment may be completed in a single session or may require a small number of visits.
Aftercare & Follow-Up
Following your treatment, Mr Kamalarajah will review you to assess the outcome and confirm that all targeted lashes have been successfully treated. You will receive clear aftercare guidance, and our team is available should you have any concerns during the post-treatment period. In some cases, a small number of lashes may require a repeat treatment session.
If you are experiencing persistent eye irritation that may be caused by ingrown lashes, contact Cathedral Eye Clinic Belfast to arrange an assessment with Mr Sri Kamalarajah.
I was very satisfied with my first appointment to the cathedral clinic very comfortable every thing explained to me well from the consultant to all the staff at reception and the procedure I was going to have. I was not rushed and felt very comfortable at the cathedral eye clinic and looking forward to having my procedure in 2 weeks time
Verified Patient · Doctify
Investment in your Vision
Cost & Payment Options
At Cathedral Eye Clinic, we believe clear and honest pricing is essential when planning your care.
0% finance available
Initial Consultation
£225
Includes a comprehensive assessment with one of our specialist consultants.
Electrolysis for Ingrown Eyelashes
from £650 per session (Treatment)
Making Treatment Accessible
To make treatment more accessible, we offer interest-free finance options , allowing you to spread the cost over manageable monthly instalments.
Contact our team to discuss personalised pricing and finance options tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is electrolysis for eyelashes painful?
How many sessions will I need?
Will the lashes definitely not grow back after electrolysis?
Can I just keep plucking the lashes instead?
What if my ingrown lashes are caused by a turning eyelid (entropion)?
How soon can I return to normal activities after electrolysis?
What problems can occur after the procedure?
A post-operative infection may develop in the lids.
Rarely a small 'notch' can occur at the site of treatment on the lid margin.
Rarely a small 'notch' can occur at the site of treatment on the lid margin.
Sometimes lashes require multiple treatments to completely ablate the follicle.
