Previous studies have shown that a number of innate epithelial pro-inflammatory mediators (IL1B, S100A7, CXCL5), matrix factors (SPARCL1, CTGF, collagens) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs 7, 9, 12) are associated with progressive trachomatous scarring, trichiasis and post-operative trichiasis1,12,13. This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and Trichiasis.