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Double layer eyelashes or distichiasis is an extremely rare condition where there are two rows of eyelashes. The second row may include a few hairs, a single lash, or a complete set. Unlike normal lashes, the extra lashes are mainly light, short, and thin. Generally, distichiasis affects all four eyelids, but it can show up on the lower lids or just one lid. You may experience symptoms including conjunctivitis, photophobia (sensitivity to light), ptosis (droopy eyelids), and irritation of the cornea. In most of the cases, double row lashes are present at birth. It is caused due to genetic mutation that is linked to heart issues. A person with distichiasis has a set of lashes present behind the first set of eyelashes on their eyelids.
Causes
These types of eyelashes can be acquired or inherited after birth. The common cause of congenital distichiasis is a rare genetic mutation of the FOXC2 gene on chromosome 16. This gene helps to develop blood vascular and lymphatic during embryonic growth. It is a part of a rare condition known as lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome (LDS). LDS involves the accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues and double eyelashes. The lymph, or fluid, leaks from the blood vessels and into tissues. Normally, the lymphatic system filters this fluid through tubes known as lymphatic vessels. However, if these vessels are not in working condition, the fluid is accumulated in the tissue and leads to swelling. People having LDS mainly experience swelling in the legs. In LDS, the lymphatic vessels are obstructed, underdeveloped, not functioning properly and malformed. Moreover, there are other conditions that LDS is also associated such as cleft palate, abnormal rhythm of heart, scoliosis, structural heart abnormalities, and early onset of varicose veins. About 5% of people with LDS suffer from congenital heart disease.
Developing later stages in life
Acquiring or developing double layer eyelashes after birth is quite uncommon than the congenital form. It is caused due to injury of the eyelid or inflammation. There are various common causes such as chronic blepharitis where the eyelids get swollen cause by bacterial or skin conditions. The symptoms are burning, swelling, itching, dryness, and excessive tearing. It is also caused due to malfunctioning of the meibomian gland where the glands are inflamed and there is hypersecretion as well as abnormal discharge from the meibomian glands. The third cause is OCP (Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid), a very uncommon autoimmune disorder that causes recurring or chronic conjunctivitis which leads to swelling, burning, and irritation in the eye. Another cause is SGS (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) which is a very rare infection as it causes chronic swelling of your mucous membranes and skin as well as eyelids. The last one is a chemical injury on the eyelids that causes severe infection.
Options for treatment
If you are not having any symptoms then there is no requirement of treatment. Now, treatment is needed when there are signs of symptoms such as removing the additional lashes. The treatment will depend on the number of symptoms and extra lashes. Various options such as in not so severe cases, lubricating eye drops will provide relief from eye irritation by safeguarding the cornea from additional lashes. You can also wear soft contact lenses that also provides a layer of protection. To avoid any difficulties, ensure to wear the lenses properly. Consult an ophthalmologist or an optometrist to know the best practices for wearing contact lenses. Another way you can remove the lashes is by using an electronic device known as an epilator that will physically pluck the lashes. However, after 2 to 3 weeks, the lashes will again grow back as epilation is a temporary treatment. You should go for this treatment if you have a few extra lashes. The next treatment you can opt for is cryotherapy that uses freezing temperature for destroying the eyelash follicles and is perfect for people having a lot of additional lashes. Although this procedure gives you good results for a long time, it also leads to loss of nearby eyelashes, eyelid scarring, the edge of the eyelid gets thinner, and lid depigmentation. Other treatment procedures include electrolysis for removing few eyelashes and during the procedure, a needle is being inserted in the eyelash follicle. The needle emits a short-wave frequency thereby destroying the follicle.
