Acquired trichomegaly in uveitis.

BACKGROUND

Various mediators inducing positive effects on eyelash growth (trichomegaly) have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of ocular inflammation. Based on our clinical observations, we examined the relation between trichomegaly and uveitis.

METHODS

The study was conducted as a prospective case-control study at Gulhane Military Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology. Ninety patients with endogenous uveitis and 360 age- and sex-matched control subjects (11 to 59 years of age) enrolled in the study. Upper and lower eyelash lengths measured by 2 different observers using Castroviejo calipers were compared statistically.

RESULTS

Both upper and lower eyelashes of the study group were significantly longer than those of controls (p<0.001). A negative correlation was observed between eyelash length and age in both groups (p<0.001). Steroid use, systemic involvement, number of attacks, and laterality in uveitis patients had no effect on eyelash length (p>0.05).

INTERPRETATION: Trichomegaly and uveitis were positively associated. Further clinical trials are needed to verify this relation and to elucidate the mechanism(s) underlying development of trichomegaly in uveitis.