Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the current patterns of diagnosis and referral in keratoconus.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who had recently been diagnosed
with keratoconus and attended dedicated clinics at Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium
and Maria Middelares General Hospital, Ghent, Belgium between June 2013 and February
2018. Exclusion criteria included longstanding keratoconus diagnosis, reduced cognitive
capabilities and prior surgical procedures (corneal crosslinking, penetrating keratoplasty
or any type of refractive surgery).
Results
Three-hundred and ninety-nine patients (722 eyes) were included in this study. The
mean age was 24.7 ± 6.5 years and the average maximal keratometry was 51 ± 5.2 D for
the better eye and 58.4 ± 9.6 D for the worse eye. Upon diagnosis, 233 eyes (32.2
%) and 51 eyes (7.1 %) had a thinnest pachymetry <450 and <400 μm, respectively. At
6-month follow-up, 58 % of patients had been fitted with specialty contact lenses.
During follow-up, 199 eyes (27.6 %) underwent corneal crosslinking. One patient underwent
corneal graft surgery of his worse eye due to contact lens intolerance and insufficient
visual acuity.
Conclusion
Despite advances in diagnostic tools, keratoconus is often diagnosed at a relatively
late stage. Earlier detection of keratoconus would increase the overall clinical benefit
of corneal crosslinking. Further research into screening strategies is required to
develop cost-effective screening programs.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 21, 2020
Accepted:
May 7,
2020
Received in revised form:
May 7,
2020
Received:
March 24,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
