Eyelid splitting with excision or microhyfrecation for distichiasis

G. L. Vaughn, R. K. Dortzbach, B. S. Sires and B. N. Lemke
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.

Distichiasis is a rare congenital or acquired condition in which an accessory row of eyelashes arises from the posterior lamella of the eyelid margin. Previously described surgical techniques to treat distichiasis can result in complications including trichiasis, loss of normal eyelashes, cicatricial entropion, and eyelid margin deformities. We describe a new technique in which the eyelid margin is split to expose the distichiasis eyelash follicles. Each aberrant eyelash follicle is individually excised or microhyfrecated and then removed. Seventeen eyelids in 5 patients with congenital or acquired distichiasis have been treated. We have achieved excellent functional and cosmetic results using this new technique.