Trichotillomania: ophthalmic presentation.
OBJECTIVE
A case of trichotillomania, or compulsive hair-pulling, involving the eyelids is presented to alert ophthalmologists to this common, but frequently overlooked cause of eyelash and eyebrow alopecia.


RESULTS
Clinical records of a 33-year-old woman suffering from trichotillomania were reviewed. Compulsive hair-pulling began in childhood and had become chronic. Psychiatric intervention was unsuccessful.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of trichotillomania is made on history and slit-lamp examination findings. A skin biopsy may be necessary to exclude alopecia areata. Adults should be referred to a psychiatrist. Although childhood disease is usually benign, often reflecting a disturbed parent-child relationship, in adults hair-pulling is generally chronic and associated with psychiatric illness.
Smith
J R
JR
Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia.
D000328:Adult; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000473:pathology*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology