The objective of the present study was to describe, for the first time in Brazil, the use by a non-ophthalmologist of a community-based marginal rotation procedure by a posterior approach in the indigenous population from the Upper Rio Negro basin.Seventy-three upper eyelids of 46 Indians (11 males and 35 females) with cicatricial upper eyelid entropion and trichiasis were operated in the Indian communities using a marginal rotational procedure by a posterior approach by a non-ophthalmologist physician who had general surgery experience but only an extremely short period (one week) of ophthalmic training.Subjects were reevaluated 6 months after surgery.Results were classified according to Food Pan Carriers the presence and location of residual trichiasis and symptoms were assessed according to a three-level subjective THROWING AX scale (better, worse or no change).
Fifty-six eyelids (76.7%) were free from trichiasis, whereas residual trichiasis was observed in 17 eyelids (23.3%) of 10 subjects.In these cases, trichiasis was either lateral or medial to the central portion of the lid.
Of these 10 patients, only 4 reported that the surgery did not improve the irritative symptoms.We conclude that marginal rotation by a posterior approach is an effective and simple procedure with few complications, even when performed by non-specialists.Due to its simplicity the posterior approach is an excellent option for community-based upper eyelid entropion surgery.