Bobba S, Wood A, Males J, Kerdraon Y. Patterns in refractive error and treatment delay in keratoconus-An Australian study.
PLoS One 2024;
19:e0297268. [PMID:
38206955 PMCID:
PMC10783750 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0297268]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus is the most common primary corneal ectasia and is associated with significant morbidity. In its early stages, keratoconus is often asymptomatic, making the identification of subclinical disease challenging. Refractive error is a parameter that is documented at most routine optometry visits, yet interestingly, changes in refraction of keratoconic patients over time have not yet been studied and compared with the general population. Early diagnosis of keratoconus facilitates timely referral for treatments such as corneal collagen cross-linking, which has been shown to slow disease progression. In this context, documenting delays between initial presentation to the optometrist and referral for collagen-cross-linking as well as comparing the trends in visual acuity and refractive error between keratoconic and non-keratoconic patients over time are particularly relevant.
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