Keratoconus in two siblings with congenital distichiasis

Abstract

Purpose

To describe a previously unreported association of keratoconus in congenital distichiasis.

Methods

Observational case series of ocular findings in 2 siblings with congenital distichiasis.

Results

A 17-year-old male presented with tearing and photophobia in both eyes. His parents revealed that he was photophobic since birth. He had a lid surgery previously in both eyes. Clinical examination revealed a central scar with Descemet membrane tear suggestive of healed hydrops in the right eye. The left eye showed topographic features of keratoconus. His younger sibling, a 14-year-old female, also had similar symptoms of photophobia and tearing since birth. She had undergone electrolysis in both eyes. At the present visit, she had an epithelial defect with congestion in the right eye. Electrolysis of the distichiatic eyelashes was performed along with bandage contact lens application, which relieved her symptoms. Her topography revealed subclinical keratoconus in both eyes. The siblings’ father also had complaints of photophobia since birth and had lid surgery and electrolysis in the second decade of his life.

Conclusions

Patients with congenital distichiasis may have associated keratoconus. Chronic ocular irritation and subsequent eye rubbing in distichiasis could be the risk factor for keratoconus.