I have begun losing eyelashes. They have always been thin, but now I have gaps where there are none. I have not had any infections and I never rub my eyes. Can eyelashes be surgically implanted?

Liz

Doctors refer to the loss of eyelashes as madarosis. While it may seem like mainly a cosmetic problem, the condition can be an indicator of something more serious, such as eye trauma, eyelid infections and even cancer of the eyelid. In addition, metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism and pituitary insufficiency can cause madarosis. So, before considering a treatment, you should see an eyelid specialist (called an oculoplastic surgeon) and have him carefully examine your eyelid to determine the cause of the madarosis.

There is no surgical procedure to implant eyelashes. However, there have been recent reports that Xalatan, a medication used to treat glaucoma, can spur the regrowth of missing eyelashes, as well thicken and elongate existing eyelashes. Another interesting side effect of Xalatan is that it can cause the iris to darken in patients with light-colored eyes. So, if an underlying cause of your eyelash loss cannot be found, you may want to talk to your eye doctor about whether Xalatan might possibly be useful in your case.