Distichiasis – Congenital and Acquired
- Distichiasis is a condition in which an extra row of eyelashes occupy the usual site of meibomian glands
- It is of 2 types
- Congenital distichiasis
- The meibomian glands open into the hair follicles of the extra row of eyelashes as ordinary sebaceous glands
- The eyelashes are directed backwards and may require epilation if they rub on the cornea
- Acquired distichiasis (metaplastic lashes)
- The meibomian glands undergo metaplasia to form hair follicles
- It is seen in conditions like late stage of cicatrizing conjunctivitis due to chemical injury, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid
- Congenital distichiasis
