Abstract
Purpose: :
To detect differences between ethnic groups in characteristics of keratoconus and the need for surgery.
Methods: :
Retrospective review of 295 patients diagnosed with keratoconus at three cornea subspecialty practices between July 1, 2003 and December 31, 2007. Information gathered included demographics, age at surgery, vision at surgery, and vision at last visit. Parametric and non-parametric models were performed to assess differences in characteristics between various ethnicities.
Results: :
Age at diagnosis did not differ between African American and Caucasian patients (32.03 years vs. 29.99 years p=0.12), but African-Americans progressed to surgery faster (5.77 years vs. 11.60 years; p=0.0064), were younger at surgery (33.16 years vs. 39.87 years; p=0.0011), and had worse vision at surgery (20/150 vs. 20/70; p<0.0001) than did Caucasians.
Conclusions: :
African American patients with keratoconus have a similar onset of disease when compared to Caucasian patients but appear to progress to a need for surgery at a more rapid rate.
Keywords: keratoconus • cornea: clinical science