Epilation counseling and training guidance.

The following guidelines are for counseling for epilation for trachomatous trichiasis (TT) when a patient has refused TT surgery. For any TT patient who refuses TT surgery, epilation should be offered, but the counseling must clearly discuss the risk to patients who have lashes touching the center of the eye if they do not choose TT surgery (suggested language below).

Ideally, counseling for epilation should be provided at the same time to both the TT patient and a caregiver, relative, or friend, who will act as an epilator for the person with TT. If the TT patient did not arrive with a person who can be trained as epilator, then the patient can be counseled and trained in epilation and can transfer the knowledge to an appropriate person at a later time.