Distichiasis, or double eyelashes, is a rare condition where you have two rows of eyelashes. The 2nd row might include a single lash, a few hairs, or a complete set.

Compared to normal lashes, the actress lashes are usually thinner, shorter, and lighter.

Typically, distichiasis affects all four eyelids, but information technology can prove up on only one chapeau or the lower lids. The extra lashes come out of the meibomian glands on the edge of the eyelid. These glands normally produce an oil that coats tears, which stops them from drying up too apace.

Y'all might non take any symptoms, but if you do yous might experience:

  • sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • conjunctivitis
  • irritation of the cornea
  • styes
  • droopy eyelids (ptosis)

In most cases, distichiasis is congenital, which means it'south present at birth. Information technology can be caused by a genetic mutation that'due south linked to heart problems.

You can also go distichiasis later in life if your eyelids are inflamed or injured.

In this commodity, we'll explore the causes, risk factors, and treatment of double eyelashes.

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A person with distichiasis, besides known as double eyelashes, has a set of lashes present just behind the beginning prepare of eyelashes on their eyelids.

Distichiasis tin be inherited or caused after nativity. Your symptoms and potential complications will depend on the cause.

Present at birth

The well-nigh common crusade of congenital distichiasis is a rare genetic mutation of the FOXC2 gene on chromosome 16. This gene helps lymphatic and blood vascular development during embryonic growth.

Scientists aren't certain how this genetic mutation causes double eyelashes. However, congenital distichiasis is usually part of a rare status called lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (LDS).

LDS involves double eyelashes and lymphedema, or fluid accumulation in the body's tissues.

The fluid, or lymph, leaks from the blood vessels and into tissues. The lymphatic organization normally drains and filters this fluid through tubes called lymphatic vessels.

Only if the lymphatic vessels aren't working properly, the fluid accumulates in the tissue and causes swelling. People with LDS usually experience swelling in both legs.

In LDS, the lymphatic vessels might exist:

  • underdeveloped
  • obstructed
  • malformed
  • functioning incorrectly

LDS is also associated with other conditions, including:

  • early onset varicose veins
  • scoliosis
  • cleft palate
  • structural heart abnormalities
  • abnormal middle rhythm

Due to the heart defects related to LDS, near 5 percent of people with LDS accept congenital eye disease.

It's also possible to inherit distichiasis without lymphedema, just this is extremely rare.

Developing later in life

Acquired distichiasis, or developing double eyelashes afterwards nativity, is less common than the congenital form.

Information technology's acquired past inflammation or injury of the eyelid. Common causes include:

  • Chronic blepharitis. Blepharitis is eyelid inflammation acquired by a skin or bacterial condition. Symptoms may include excessive trigger-happy, dryness, itching, swelling, and called-for.
  • Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). OCP is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes chronic or recurring conjunctivitis. This leads to eye irritation, burning, and swelling.
  • Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). In MGD, in that location's aberrant discharge and hypersecretion from the meibomian glands. The glands are also inflamed.
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SGS). This is a rare reaction to medication or an infection. Information technology causes chronic inflammation of your skin and mucous membranes, including your eyelids.
  • Chemic injury. A chemical fire on your eyelids can cause severe inflammation.

Genetics is the biggest risk factor for congenital distichiasis. Yous're more than likely to inherit the condition if one of your parents has it.

In fact, about 75 percentage of people who take LDS have a parent with the disorder.

Acquired distichiasis, on the other hand, is acquired by sure conditions. These conditions are associated with:

  • Eyelid inflammation. You have a higher hazard for inflamed eyelids if you take seborrheic dermatitis, or dandruff on the scalp and eyebrows. Other risk factors include allergic reactions, rosacea, bacterial infections, clogged oil glands on your eyelids, and eyelash mites or lice.
  • Beingness female. Females are twice as likely to develop OCP.
  • Older historic period. OCP and MGD are more than mutual in older people.
  • Wearing contacts. Using contact lenses is a risk factor for MGD.
  • Certain medication. People who take glaucoma medication are more than likely to develop MGD. Pain relievers and medications for gout, seizures, infections, and mental illness may also cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
  • Weakened immune organisation. Having a weakened allowed system increases your take chances for Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

If you lot have these hazard factors, you're more likely to develop a condition that causes distichiasis.

Generally, if you don't have symptoms, yous won't need treatment. But if y'all do have symptoms, treatment will focus on managing them. It might also include removing the actress eyelashes.

The best treatment depends on the number of actress lashes and your symptoms. Options include:

Lubricating heart drops

In mild cases, lubricating centre drops tin relieve eye irritation. This extra lubrication works by protecting the cornea from extra lashes.

Soft contact lenses

Similar lubrication, soft contact lenses provide a layer of protection.

To prevent complications, be sure to use contact lenses properly. An optometrist or ophthalmologist tin can explicate the best practices for wearing contact lenses.

Epilation

Epilation involves removing the lashes with an electronic device called an epilator. It physically plucks them out.

Notwithstanding, the lashes usually grow back in 2 to three weeks, and so it's a temporary treatment. It'due south only recommended if you have a few extra lashes.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses farthermost cold to destroy the eyelash follicles. This method is ideal if yous accept a lot of extra lashes.

While cryotherapy has long-lasting results, it can cause:

  • loss of nearby eyelashes
  • thinning of the eyelid edge
  • eyelid scarring
  • hat depigmentation

Electrolysis

Electrolysis, like epilation, is all-time for removing a small number of eyelashes.

During the procedure, a needle is inserted in the eyelash follicle. The needle applies a short-moving ridge frequency that destroys the follicle.

Hat splitting

Lid splitting is a blazon of eye surgery. The eyelid is split open, which exposes the eyelash follicles. The extra eyelashes are individually removed.

Sometimes, hat splitting is used with cryotherapy or electrolysis.

Argon light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation thermoablation

In this handling, argon laser burns are repeatedly applied to the lash follicles, which destroys the follicles.

You might experience mild discomfort and increased tear flow during the procedure.

Existence born with double eyelashes often occurs with lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (LDS), which is caused by a rare genetic mutation. The status is linked to congenital heart defects, so it'south important to monitor your heart health if y'all have LDS.

It'southward as well possible to develop distichiasis after nativity if your eyelids get inflamed.

If you accept middle irritation or discomfort, a doctor can assistance y'all make up one's mind the best options for treatment.