Eyelashes are short, curved hairs arranged in two or three rows along the front edge of each eyelid, about 100-150 on the upper lid and fewer on the lower. Their follicles are richly supplied with nerve endings, so touching a lash triggers a blink. Each lash lasts a few months before being replaced.
| Location | Anterior margin of the upper and lower eyelids |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Sensory nerve endings around the follicles from CN V1 and CN V2 |
| Blood Supply | Marginal palpebral arcades |
Shield the eye from dust and debris, and trigger protective blinking when touched.
Misdirected lashes (trichiasis) or an extra row (distichiasis) rub the cornea and can cause ulcers. Demodex mites in lash follicles contribute to blepharitis and leave cylindrical dandruff at the lash bases. Prostaglandin glaucoma drops lengthen and darken lashes as a side effect.
Lashes growing inward toward the eye, from scarring or chronic inflammation, causing irritation and corneal abrasion.
Loss of eyelashes, which may result from blepharitis, thyroid disease, alopecia areata, trauma or eyelid tumours.
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