Madarosis is more commonly associated with which eyelid condition?

• A. Seborrheic blepharitis
• B. Staphylococcal blepharitis
• C. Acne rosacea
• D. Meibomian gland dysfunction

Answer: (A)

Madarosis is eyelash loss from inflammation or damage of the lash follicles at the eyelid margin. The form of blepharitis that is most classically linked to this is seborrheic blepharitis, which presents with greasy, dandruff-like scales along the lid margins and ongoing mild inflammation. That persistent irritation disrupts the lash follicles, making lashes shed or fail to regrow in affected areas.

Other eyelid diseases can involve lash loss, but they aren’t as typically associated as seborrheic blepharitis. Staphylococcal blepharitis can cause lid margin irritation and crusting, and rosacea-related blepharitis can contribute to lash changes in longer-standing disease, but seborrheic blepharitis is the most commonly linked cause of madarosis. Meibomian gland dysfunction mainly affects the tear film and lid margin glands, with less emphasis on direct lash follicle destruction.