A Hospital-Based Study on the Prevalence of Keratoconus in First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Keratoconus in Central China

Abstract

Purpose. The present study investigated the prevalence of keratoconus (KC) among first-degree relatives of KC patients in Central China. Methods. From July 2018 to March 2022, 661 first-degree relatives of 384 KC patients were included in the present study. Corneal tomography, uncorrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction with corrected distance visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp microscopy, and fundus examination were performed. The diagnosis of KC was based on the Belin/Ambrosio enhanced ectasia total deviation value (BAD-D value) on the Pentacam® system (Oculus GmbH). BAD-D value <1.6 was diagnosed as healthy, 1.6≤ BAD-D value <2.6 was diagnosed as suspected KC, and BAD-D value ≥2.6 was diagnosed as KC. Results. The present study included 337 (50.98%) female and 324 (49.02%) male subjects. The prevalence of KC and suspected KC in first-degree relatives was 8.77% (n = 58) and 29.05% (n = 192), respectively. The prevalence of KC was 9.70% among parents and 7.23% among siblings. Conclusions. The higher prevalence of KC among first-degree relatives of patients with KC suggests that first-degree relatives of KC are at high risk of developing KC.

Estimated prevalence of keratoconus in the largest metropolitan area of Italy

“…In a Chinese report, the prevalence of keratoconus in first-degree relatives was about 9% and the CLEK study found a positive family history of keratoconus in 13% of the patients. [33][34][35] The association between allergy/atopy and keratoconus has been well documented in several studies. 14,31 Eye rubbing habit has been considered one of the major risk factors for disease development in several studies 13,36 ; here, two patients (18%) with keratoconus reported eye rubbing habit, which was found in 5% of normal subjects.…”