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Tourette syndrome and the eye
1Indiana University School of Optometry, Bloomington, Indiana, USA. skovach@indiana.edu
Insights
Tourette syndrome (TS) can cause various eye symptoms, including excessive blinking and saccade issues. Optometrists should recognize these ocular signs, which may indicate an underlying diagnosis of TS.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
Background:
- Tourette syndrome is a neurologic disorder characterized by involuntary vocal and motor tics.
- Ocular manifestations can occur in Tourette syndrome patients.
- Medications used to treat Tourette syndrome may also impact vision.
Observation:
- Case 1 involved a 5-year-old boy with excessive blinking diagnosed as Tourette syndrome.
- Case 2 featured an adult male with Tourette syndrome who forcibly blinked out soft contact lenses.
Findings:
- Common eye signs in Tourette syndrome include excessive blinking, squinting, eye rolling, and exaggerated eyelid movements.
- Saccadic dysfunction is another potential ocular finding in Tourette syndrome.
- These eye-related symptoms can be indicative of Tourette syndrome.
Implications:
- Optometrists should be vigilant for ocular signs associated with Tourette syndrome.
- Early recognition of these eye manifestations can lead to timely diagnosis and management of Tourette syndrome.
- Increased awareness among eye care professionals is crucial for identifying Tourette syndrome in patients presenting with specific eye signs.
Background:
Tourette syndrome is a stress-sensitive neurologic disorder characterized by involuntary vocal and motor tics. Both Tourette syndrome and the medical treatment for this condition can affect the eye.
Case Reports:
Case 1: A 5-year-old boy was brought in to see the optometrist by his mother for excessive "flinching" of the eyes. The flinching was actually excessive blinking and, after consulting with the patient's pediatrician and a neurologist, Tourette syndrome was diagnosed. Case 2: An adult male patient complained that, on occasion, he would forcibly blink out his soft contact lenses. He had previously received a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome, which is successfully managed with medication.
Conclusion:
Eye signs in Tourette syndrome include excessive blinking, squinting, eye rolling, exaggerated eye opening and closing, and problems with saccades. Because the eye can be involved in Tourette syndrome, the optometrist should be aware of the different manifestations of the condition, which often go unrecognized.
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