The Auckland keratoconus study: Identifying predictors of acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus. (21st February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan Gaskin, Jennifer C; Good, William R; Jordan, Charlotte A; Patel, Dipika V; McGhee, Charles NJ
• Is Part Of: Clinical & experimental optometry. Volume 96:Number 2(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 208
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2013-02-21
• Subjects: Optometry -- Periodicals; Optometrists -- Services for -- Australia -- Periodicals; Optometry -- Periodicals; Optométrie -- Périodiques; 617.75
• DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0816-4622

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="cxo12048-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The aim was to identify potential factors associated with acute corneal hydrops in a New Zealand population with keratoconus referred to a hospital eye service.</p> </sec> <sec id="cxo12048-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In a single hospital centre, in a retrospective review, demographic and clinical features of subjects with keratoconus and corneal hydrops over a 17‐year period were compared with an age‐ and gender‐matched control group of subjects with keratoconus but no history of corneal hydrops.</p> </sec> <sec id="cxo12048-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>One hundred and one eyes of 101 subjects (mean age 24.6 ± 8.4 years) were identified with keratoconus‐related corneal hydrops. Subjects were more likely to be of Pacific but less likely to be of New Zealand European ethnicity than control subjects (n = 101). In comparison, Maori ethnicity was not found to have a significantly positive or negative association with hydrops. The pre‐hydrops visual acuity (VA) of affected eyes was poorer than that of controls (p < 0.001) at first presentation to our tertiary referral corneal and contact lens service. Hydrops typically developed approximately four years after diagnosis of keratoconus. Subjects with hydrops were more likely to have a history of eye‐rubbing (p = 0.011) but less likely to have a family history of keratoconus (p = 0.05). In 31 cases, the acute hydrops event was their first optometric/ophthalmologic contact. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of atopic disease, contact lens wear or overall corneal transplantation rate between the two groups.</p> </sec> <sec id="cxo12048-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Pacific ethnicity, history of eye‐rubbing, poor VA at first hospital presentation and lack of family history were statistically associated with developing acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus in a New Zealand population. Greater understanding of such predisposing risk factors may help develop early management strategies to delay or prevent progression of this disease.</p> </sec> </abstract>