# Evaluating the Role of Incision Height in Improving Trichiasis Surgery Outcomes

> **NIH NIH UG1** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $349,063

## Abstract

NOTE: The project dates for this administrative supplement are March 1, 2020 – February 28, 2021.
Project Abstract
The primary objective of this randomized clinical trial is to determine whether the height of the incision made
during trichiasis surgery affects surgical outcomes as measured within 12 months after surgery. The trial will be
conducted in southern Ethiopia, where trachomatous trichiasis is endemic. Approximately 5,000 adult subjects
will be enrolled. They will be randomized on a 1:1:1 basis to bilamellar surgery with an incision height of 3 mm,
bilamellar surgery with incision targeted at 5 mm or Trabut. Sutures will be removed 2 weeks after surgery and
participants will be examined again at 6 weeks, 12 months and 3 years after surgery (extended follow up due
to covid-related shutdowns). The primary outcome is presence of post-operative trichiasis, defined as one or
more lashes touching the eye or confirmed evidence of epilation. The secondary outcome is presence of a
moderate or severe eyelid contour abnormality. Nearly 8 million individuals are in need of trichiasis surgery. If
this trial is successful in reducing the rate of post-operative trichiasis by 25%, an estimated 300,000 individuals
will be spared from post-operative trichiasis, which will allow reallocation of resources from repeat surgery to
provide services to hundreds of thousands of individuals needing initial trichiasis surgery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10349081
- **Project number:** 3UG1EY025992-05S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** EMILY W GOWER
- **Activity code:** UG1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $349,063
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-12-13 → 2021-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10349081

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10349081, Evaluating the Role of Incision Height in Improving Trichiasis Surgery Outcomes (3UG1EY025992-05S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10349081. Licensed CC0.

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