A distichia is when cilia (eyelashes) arise from the free lid margin. This abnormality, attributed to a genetic mutation, is a common opthalmological disorder of the dog. Distichiae usually exit from the duct of the meibomian gland at the eyelid margin. They are usually multiple, and sometimes more than one arises from a duct. They can affect either the upper or lower eyelid and are usually bilateral. The lower eyelids of dogs usually have no eyelashes.
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A distichia is when cilia (eyelashes) arise from the free lid margin. This abnormality, attributed to a genetic mutation, is a common opthalmological disorder of the dog. Distichiae usually exit from the duct of the meibomian gland at the eyelid margin. They are usually multiple, and sometimes more than one arises from a duct. They can affect either the upper or lower eyelid and are usually bilateral. The lower eyelids of dogs usually have no eyelashes.
Distichiae usually cause no symptoms, because the lashes are soft, but they can irritate the eye and cause tearing, squinting, inflammation, corneal ulcers and scarring. Treatment options include manual removal, electrolysis, electrocautery, cryotherapy, and surgery. ==Symptoms== When cilia grow into the cornea it can cause irritation and damage the cornea causing blepharospasm and lacrimation. Neovascularisation and ulceration can occur in severe cases. ==Treatment== Epilation is a temporary treatment that needs to be performed roughly every 4 to 5 weeks. The procedure does not require anaesthetic and can be performed by a non-veterinarian in some cases. Permanent treatment requires the hair follicle to be removed or destroyed, with the most common technique being cryosurgery. For surgery the eyelid is inverted using Von Graefe's forceps or a chalazion clamp to expose the affected follicles. For cryosurgery temperatures of −25°C are used, which destroys the follicle but not the rest of the tissue. Temperatures of −30°C or more will cause necrosis of the eyelid tissue. Depigmentation is a side effect of the procedure that typically resolves in 6 months but may be permanent. Scarring and distortion are also possible side effects of cryosurgery. Celsus–Hotz resection can be used when the entire eyelid is affected, but will cause mild entropion. Other methods of treatment include diathermy, electrolysis, partial tarsal plate excision, and transpalpebral conjunctival dissection ==Epidemiology== Some canine breeds are affected by distichiasis more frequently than others: Cocker Spaniel Dachshund (especially the miniature longhaired Dachshund) Bulldog Pekingese Yorkshire Terrier Flat-Coated Retriever Shetland Sheepdog Boxer Poodle
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