title: Acquired trichomegaly in uveitis.
abstract: 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, GATA Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Atilla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bayer
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bagkesen
authors.forename: Gungor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sobaci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications*