Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of low-potency topical steroid fluorometholone in reducing postoperative trachomatous trichiasis (PTT) after corrective eyelid surgery.

Key Findings:

• Cumulative PTT incidence at 12 months was identical in both treatment arms at 13.4%.
• Safety assessments showed no significant rise in intraocular pressure or cataract progression.
• Patient satisfaction with surgery was over 99%.

Interpretation:

Fluorometholone does not reduce the incidence of postoperative trachomatous trichiasis and is not cost-effective for programmatic use.

Limitations:

• The study was limited to a specific geographic region, which may affect generalizability.
• The intervention's effectiveness may vary based on surgical technique and training.

Conclusion:

Improving surgical outcomes for trachomatous trichiasis may rely more on surgical techniques and training rather than postoperative steroid drops.