Distichia
A distichia is when cilia (eyelashes) arise from the free lid margin.
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It is a common ophthalmological disorder of dogs attributed to a genetic mutation.
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attributed to a genetic mutation , is a common opthalmological disorder of the dog
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The abnormal eyelashes usually exit from the duct of the meibomian gland.
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Distichiae usually exit from the duct of the meibomian gland at the eyelid margin.
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They are usually multiple, can affect either eyelid, and are usually bilateral.
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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.
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Usually causes no symptoms because the lashes are soft.
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Distichiae usually cause no symptoms, because the lashes are soft
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Can irritate the eye and cause tearing, squinting, inflammation, corneal ulcers, and scarring.
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but they can irritate the eye and cause tearing, squinting, inflammation, corneal ulcers and scarring.
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Growing into the cornea can cause irritation, damage, blepharospasm, and lacrimation.
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When cilia grow into the cornea it can cause irritation and damage the cornea causing blepharospasm and lacrimation .
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Severe cases can involve neovascularisation and ulceration.
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Neovascularisation and ulceration can occur in severe cases.
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Options include manual removal, electrolysis, electrocautery, cryotherapy, and surgery.
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Treatment options include manual removal, electrolysis , electrocautery , cryotherapy , and surgery .
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Epilation is a temporary treatment requiring repetition every 4 to 5 weeks.
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Epilation is a temporary treatment that needs to be performed roughly every 4 to 5 weeks.
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Permanent treatment involves removing or destroying the hair follicle, commonly via cryosurgery.
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Permanent treatment requires the hair follicle to be removed or destroyed, with the most common technique being cryosurgery .
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Cryosurgery uses -25°C to destroy the follicle while sparing surrounding tissue.
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For cryosurgery temperatures of −25°C are used, which destroys the follicle but not the rest of the tissue.
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Celsus–Hotz resection is used for entire eyelid involvement but causes mild entropion.
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Celsus–Hotz resection can be used when the entire eyelid is affected, but will cause mild entropion .
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Other methods include diathermy, electrolysis, partial tarsal plate excision, and transpalpebral conjunctival dissection.
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Other methods of treatment include diathermy , electrolysis , partial tarsal plate excision , and transpalpebral conjunctival dissection
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Ectopic cilia, a special type of distichia, can cause intense pain and corneal ulcers.
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It can cause intense pain and corneal ulcers .
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Cryosurgery temperatures of -30°C or more will cause eyelid tissue necrosis.
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Temperatures of −30°C or more will cause necrosis of the eyelid tissue.
| Distichia | |
|---|---|
| Distichiae of the upper and lower lid of a dog | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology |
A distichia is when cilia (eyelashes) arise from the . This abnormality, attributed to a genetic mutation, is a common 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.[1]
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.[2] Treatment options include manual removal, electrolysis, electrocautery, cryotherapy, and surgery.
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.[3]
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 or a 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. can be used when the entire eyelid is affected, but will cause mild entropion. Other methods of treatment include diathermy, electrolysis, , and [3]
Some canine breeds are affected by distichiasis more frequently than others:[4]
- Cocker Spaniel
- Dachshund (especially the miniature longhaired Dachshund)
- Bulldog
- Pekingese
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Flat-Coated Retriever
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Boxer
- Poodle[4]
An ectopic cilia is a special type of distichia usually found in younger dogs. Commonly affected breeds include the Flat-Coated Retriever, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Boxer, English Bulldog, Poodle, and Jack Russell Terrier. The eyelash exits through the conjunctiva of the eyelid facing toward the eye, usually at the middle of the upper eyelid. It can cause intense pain and corneal ulcers. Treatment is surgery or cryotherapy.[3]
- ↑ Brooks, Dennis E. (2005). "Ophthalmic Examination Made Ridiculously Simple". Proceedings of the 30th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- ↑ "Eyelids: Conformational Abnormalities". The Merck Veterinary Manual. 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
- 1 2 3 Gelatt, Kirk N.; Plummer, Caryn E. (2022-08-12). Essentials of Veterinary Ophthalmology. Wiley. pp. 239–269. doi:10.1002/9781119801368.ch6. ISBN 978-1-119-80132-0.
- 1 2 Gelatt, Kirk N., ed. (1999). Veterinary Ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-683-30076-8.