Treatment by removal of the lashes is frustrating, because within a few weeks the lashes return to irritate the eye. Removal does provide temporary relief, however. Permanent destruction of the lash follicle is the only sure way to prevent recurrences. The first is electrolysis. Here an electric current is passed through the base of the lash in hopes of killing the cells that produce the hair.
Recurrence rates are very high, and scarring can be a problem.
The second is a newer method called cryosurgery. Here a general area is frozen with an appropriate instrument, thus disturbing the micro circulation and thereby killing the hair follicles. Recurrence rates with cryosurgery are much lower than with electrolysis. Refreezing is only occasionally necessary. Ordinarily no local anesthetic is used.