Trichomegaly

Trichomegaly is a condition in which the eyelashes are abnormally long,^[1] objectively defined as 12mm or greater in the central area and 8mm in the peripheral.^[2] The term was first used by H. Gray in 1944 in a publication in the Stanford Medical Bulletin,^[2] though he was only the third person to characterize the disorder; the first two reports were published in German in 1926 and 1931 by Reiter and Bab, respectively.^[3] Gray suggested the use of the term "movie lashes" to describe this condition, for long lashes were at the time being portrayed in film as a desirable characteristic in women.

Trichomegaly
Other names	Movie lashes
Trichomegaly in an adult human male, his upper lashes measuring 14 mm long
Lashes have greater prominence (length, fullness, darkness) than normal subjects
Specialty	Dermatology
Diagnostic method	Measured upper eyelash length of 12 mm or greater, and/or increased length, thickness, curl, pigmentation of lashes

The condition does not always present a medical issue and can sometimes be a benign familial or isolated trait. The presence of excessively long or lush lashes in healthy individuals is likely under-reported as it is an aesthetically pleasing facial feature and usually does not prompt diagnosis or treatment on its own.^[2]

Etiology

There are several causal agents for this disorder; these can be divided into three main categories and include the following:^[4]

Congenital Syndromes

• Oliver–McFarlane syndrome
• Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
• Cone-rod dystrophy
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome
• Goldstein Hutt Syndrome
• Phylloid hypomelanosis
• Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome

Acquired disorders

• Areata alopecia
• Connective tissue disorders, such as
  • Lupus
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Hen fever
  • Atopic dermatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• Renal metastatic Adenocarcinoma
• Eating disorders, such as Anorexia nervosa
• Pregnancy

Drugs

• Prostaglandin analogues
• Cetuximab
• Bimatoprost, Latanoprost
• Phenytoin
• Minoxidil
• Ciclosporin
• Topiramate
• Streptomycin
• Systemic corticosteroids
• Penicillamine

Diagnosis

The objective definition of eyelash trichomegaly is having lashes which measure 12 mm or longer. However, lashes displaying increased curl, pigmentation, and thickness have also been included in the diagnosis of the condition.^[2]

See also

• Trichomycosis axillaris
• List of cutaneous conditions

References

1. Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. p. 1010. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
2. Paul, Laura J.; Cohen, Philip R.; Kurzrock, Razelle (June 2012). "Eyelash trichomegaly: review of congenital, acquired, and drug-associated etiologies for elongation of the eyelashes: Eyelash trichomegaly". International Journal of Dermatology. 51 (6): 631–646. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2011.05315.x. PMID 22607279. S2CID 205398795.
3. Ziakas, N. G.; Jogiya, A.; Michaelides, M. (2004-01-30). "A case of familial trichomegaly in association with oculocutaneous albinism type 1". Eye. 18 (8): 863–864. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701326. ISSN 0950-222X. PMID 14752500.
4. Fernández-Crehuet, Pablo; Ruiz-Villaverde, Ricardo (2016). "Essential Trichomegaly of the Eyelashes". International Journal of Trichology. 8 (3): 153–154. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.189031. ISSN 0974-7753. PMC 5007925. PMID 27625571.