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What Causes Double Eyelashes?

Nya Bruce
Nya Bruce

Double eyelashes are caused by a disorder known as distichiasis. It is a condition in which hair, or eyelashes, may grow from the openings of tiny oil-producing glands in the lids. These glands are called the meibomian glands. Another form of this condition is lymphedema-distichiasis. This disorder not only causes double lashes but is also associated with certain types of health conditions.

Distichiasis is also known as Blatt distichiasis. "Blatt" is the name of an ophthalmologist who was one of the first to describe the condition in 1924. It is a disorder that is extremely rare and that can occur regardless of a person's age, sex or ethnicity. Double eyelashes can be either hereditary or can occur as a result of other conditions, such as blepharoconjunctivitis. This is a chronic swelling of the eyelids and the mucus membrane lining the inner eye.

Elizabeth Taylor had double eyelashes.
Elizabeth Taylor had double eyelashes.

Lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome is another hereditary form of distichiasis that occurs with the medical condition lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in parts of the body as a result of an excessive buildup of fluid. In addition to having double eyelashes and swelling, people with this syndrome may also have certain health conditions or abnormalities. These conditions are often directly associated with the lymphedema portion of lymphedema-distichiasis and may include heart defects, drooping eyelids, spinal cysts, and even Type II diabetes. The late actress Elizabeth Taylor is said to have had double eyelashes because of this condition.

Double eyelashes may occur regardless of a person's sex, ethnicity, or age.
Double eyelashes may occur regardless of a person's sex, ethnicity, or age.

The two rows of eyelashes caused by either type of distichiasis may appear on both the upper and lower lids. In some cases the double eyelashes may only grow from the lower lid, however it is rare for them to ever appear on the upper lid only. Often the abnormal row of eyelashes grows in shorter and thinner than the normal set of lashes, regardless of the lid.

In some cases, an optometrist may recommend pulling the second set of eyelashes to avoid irritation.
In some cases, an optometrist may recommend pulling the second set of eyelashes to avoid irritation.

With both types of distichiasis, abnormal lashes may grow out naturally or turn inward toward the eye itself. When they grow inward, the eyelashes may scratch the surface of the eye and cause discomfort or pain. Double eyelashes that irritate the eye may be pulled by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, although they almost always regrow within a few weeks. Electrolysis is a more permanent procedure that uses an electrical current to kill the lash at the root. Cryosurgery is another permanent way to eliminate the second row of lashes and involves using extreme cold to destroy the abnormal lashes.

Discussion Comments

anon954567

I have this on my lower lid. It has affected my vision and is so uncomfortable and makes me feel downright miserable.

I have a lovely optometrist and optician who remove it every week for me as I have such fast growth, and am currently waiting treatment to remove it permanently, I hope. I am dreading the procedure but looking forward to being able to see.

discographer

@MikeMason-- Yes they can. It's a hereditary condition for dogs just like humans. Some breeds are more prone to it because breeding dogs with distichiasis is allowed. So it gets passed on.

My grandfather's dog actually had this condition and ended up getting surgery for it because it was effecting his eye sight. Those eyelashes were out of control and they would grow into his eye and scratch his eyes and irritate him. The poor thing was so uncomfortable.

I think they removed the glands that were causing the double eyelashes during the surgery. He was much happier afterward.

stoneMason

Can dogs suffer from this condition?

ddljohn

I'm in my late twenties and I just found out that I have distichiasis. I went to see an eye doctor for dry eye and he told me I have an extra set of upper eyelashes.

I always thought that I was just blessed with lots of eyelashes and I've always been happy about them. I do have several eyelashes that grow into my eye rather than out and I have to pluck them out occasionally. But I never thought that this was abnormal.

Anyway, I don't have any other problems associated with this condition. It doesn't affect my health or quality of life so it's not a big deal.

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    • Elizabeth Taylor had double eyelashes.
      Elizabeth Taylor had double eyelashes.
    • Double eyelashes may occur regardless of a person's sex, ethnicity, or age.
      By: MartiniDry
      Double eyelashes may occur regardless of a person's sex, ethnicity, or age.
    • In some cases, an optometrist may recommend pulling the second set of eyelashes to avoid irritation.
      By: Monkey Business
      In some cases, an optometrist may recommend pulling the second set of eyelashes to avoid irritation.
    • Cryosurgery may be used to permanently eliminate the second set of eyelashes.
      By: Peter Orsaeo Sr
      Cryosurgery may be used to permanently eliminate the second set of eyelashes.
    • In addition to double eyelashes, people with lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome may also experience drooping eyelids.
      By: brankatekic
      In addition to double eyelashes, people with lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome may also experience drooping eyelids.