Distichiasis

By Brandon Brooks, DVM
Copyright 1999, Brandon Brooks. Used with permission.

Distichiasis is a condition of the eyelid wherein numerous, tiny hairs grow along the eyelid margin and "poke in" at the eye itself. This causes irritation to the eye, leading to chronic drainage and sometimes secondary infections and even corneal ulcers. It can be easily corrected, and my favorite method is with cryosurgery. This involves anesthetizing the dog, then using a small probe to freeze the hair at the base of the follicle, then removing them with a tiny pair of tweezers. These hairs almost never grow back and the surgery is usually curative. Secondary treatment for any infections or ulcers also needs to be done at the same time.

Just because the hairs are present on the eyelid margin does not mean they are causing irritation to they eye, and they don't always. This is significant because it's important to be sure no other eye problems are present.