What is distichiasis (double eyelashes)?
Distichiasis refers to having an extra row of eyelashes. You might have a complete extra set, or you might have one or two or more extra lashes on each lid. Distichiasis is pronounced di-stuh-kai-uh-suhs. It was also called Blatt distichiasis after the optometrist who wrote about the condition.
If you have distichiasis, both eyelids have extra lashes. The extra lashes might be shorter or thinner than your first set.
The condition may be present at birth (congenital) or may happen later in life as a result of something else happening (acquired).
The extra eyelashes grow from a different place on your eyelids than the usual lashes. The extra lashes of distichiasis grow from your meibomian glands. These glands have the job of helping to lubricate your eyes.
How common is distichiasis?
Distichiasis is estimated to happen in about 1 in 10,000 people.
What is lymphedema distichiasis syndrome?
Lymphedema distichiasis syndrome is an inherited condition. People who have it have both lymphedema and distichiasis. Lymphedema is a condition of the lymphatic system that involves excess lymphatic fluid (lymph) collecting in the body’s soft tissues, usually in the arms and legs. This causes swelling. The syndrome is caused when people inherit variants of the FOXC2 gene.
About 94% of the people with this syndrome will have both lymphedema and distichiasis.
Other conditions that you may have if you have lymphedema distichiasis syndrome include:
- Drooping eyelids (ptosis).
- A curved spine (scoliosis).
- Heart defects.
- Early development of varicose veins.
- Cleft palate.
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
