Compared to the respective fibroblast group (HCFs or KC-HCFs), the mRNA gene expression of TIMP-3 (p = 0.0459) was higher in Keratocytes, while the mRNA gene expression of TIMP-1 was lower in Keratocytes (p = 0.0024) and KC-Keratocytes (p = 0.0021). This evidence concerns the gene TIMP3 and keratoconus.