Risk factors for keratoconus in Israel: a case–control study

Abstract

Eye rubbing, parents' education (as a measure of socio-economic status) and having family members with KC emerged as significant risk factors for KC. The role of sun exposure in KC remains equivocal and warrants further research.

Effect of Allergic Diseases on Keratoconus Severity

“…[5][6][7]13,15,19,22,23 The percentage of the allergy, asthma, and eczema in various studies is demonstrated in Table 4. 13,15,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] In a recent study by Merdler et al, 6 who investigated various allergic diseases, a statistically significant difference was found between 807 KC patients and the general population regarding asthma, allergic rhinitis, and the combination of VKC/AC/chronic blepharitis, but no significant association was found between urticaria, eczema, angioedema, history of anaphylaxis, and allergy to hymenoptera. Nemet et al 13 evaluated the relationship between KC and immune disorders in 426 patients and 1704 controls, and revealed that asthma and environmental allergy were significantly associated with KC (p<0.05).…”

Snake-like Chromatin Cell Protein as an Indicator of Chronic Eye Rubbing in Patients with Keratoconus and Allergic Conjunctivitis

“…4 Significant risk factors have been described, including age (younger), gender (male), eye rubbing, atopia, parents' education, positive family history, Down syndrome, Leber congenital amaurosis, and others. [5][6][7] However, eye rubbing has been the focus in past years, and it has been questioned whether this is a risk factor or if it could be the cause of keratoconus. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] The snake cell protein is a nuclear morphologic alteration of the conjunctival epithelium.…”

The Genetic Background of Keratoconus: A Review on Keratoconus Genes

“…In early stages, the patient is asymptomatic, but subsequently the visual acuity gradually decreases [4]. The progressive corneal thinning associated with keratoconus [mean central corneal thickness (CCT) 450-500 µm] results in myopia, irregular corneal astigmatism and finally in a significant loss of vision [4].…”

“…In early stages, the patient is asymptomatic, but subsequently the visual acuity gradually decreases [4]. The progressive corneal thinning associated with keratoconus [mean central corneal thickness (CCT) 450-500 µm] results in myopia, irregular corneal astigmatism and finally in a significant loss of vision [4]. Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses have been found to rehabilitate sufficiently the vision, resulting in a higher quality of life, compared to keratoconic spectacles wearers [6].…”

“…Keratoconus is a bilateral, progressive condition which is usually stabilized by the fourth decade of life in a significant loss of vision and patients' quality of life [1,2,4,5]. In early stages, the patient is asymptomatic, but subsequently the visual acuity gradually decreases [4].…”