A Case of Early Keratoconus Associated with Eye Rubbing in a Young Child

INTRODUCTION: Keratoconus usually presents during puberty and is considered rare in young children. METHODS: Case report with clinical findings and computerized corneal tomography. RESULTS: We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with early bilateral keratoconus who presented with allergic conjunctivitis and persistent eye rubbing. Although our patient did not exhibit steep keratometry, early cones and inferotemporal thinnest corneal thicknesses were detected in both eyes using Scheimpflug imaging (Oculus GmbH Pentacam, Wetzlar, Germany). Belin/Ambrósio total D values were 1.85 on the right and 2.11 on the left. Improvement in best-corrected visual acuity was noted after treatment of allergic eye disease, and corneal tomographic findings remained stable 4 months after initial consult. CONCLUSION: This is a case of early diagnosed keratoconus in a young patient. Diagnosis of this condition in young children is challenging, as these patients are less likely to report visual complaints, and clinical examination is usually unremarkable. Keratoconus screening should be considered in children with atopy and eye rubbing behavior regardless of age, even in those with no other associated pathology and with negative family history.