Description of the Disease and Clinical Presentation
Distichiasis involves the emergence of additional eyelashes growing from the Meibomian gland openings, located at the very edge of the eyelids. This is often a hereditary disease in dogs and usually appears within the first few months of the animal's life. Certain breeds are known to be predisposed to this condition, including Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, English Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shih Tzus. Distichiasis may or may not cause eye problems, depending on the length, number, and direction of these extra eyelashes. If the eyelashes mechanically damage the eye surface, blepharospasm (involuntary blinking and eyelid twitching), excessive tearing, and occasionally, keratitis and corneal ulcers may occur.
 
Therapy
If the hairs are causing issues, they must be removed, and the hair follicles permanently destroyed. Manual depilation offers only a temporary solution, so permanent follicle removal is necessary. This can be achieved either by freezing the hair follicle (cryoepilation) or destroying the hair follicle through electrolysis. Laser destruction of distichiasis, thermocauterization, or surgical resection of the hair follicles is not recommended due to the risk of damaging the eyelid margin and the consequent development of corneal ulcers.
 
Please contact our specialty veterinary ophthalmology hospital Animal Eye Consultants
of Iowa (animaleyeiowa@gmail.com) in USA or Oculus Veterinary Specialty Hospital
(oculusklinika@gmail.com) in Serbia, Europe to schedule an appointment so your pet
can be seen.