Keratoconus caused by eye rubbing in patients with Tourette Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To report the association between keratoconus and Tourette Syndrome (TS) and to reinforce that eye rubbing may be a causative factor for keratoconus.

DESIGN

Observational case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Three patients with TS who presented with clinical and topographic findings suggestive of asymmetric or unilateral keratoconus.

METHODS

Evaluation of patients in a single clinical practice.

RESULTS

Patients' histories revealed asymmetric or unilateral rubbing of the affected eye as a result of a TS tic. Other organic causes associated with keratoconus were absent in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A possible association between TS and keratoconus exists with chronic eye rubbing being the suggested mechanism. Eye rubbing seems to be an important causative factor for keratoconus.