Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
View the Mayo Diet Book

Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

These factors can increase your chances of developing keratoconus:

  • Certain diseases. The risk of developing keratoconus is higher if you have certain inherited diseases or genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome. Keratoconus also is more likely in people with allergies or asthma, connective tissue disorders and some retinal diseases.
  • Family history of keratoconus. Most people with keratoconus have no family history of the disease, but in some cases heredity may play a role.
Complications Causes
References
  1. Biswell R. Cornea. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3090961. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
  2. Keratoconus. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/x4721.sml?prt. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
  3. Facts about the cornea and corneal disease. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdiseae/. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
  4. Sugar J, et al. Keratoconus and other ectasias. In: Yanoff M, et al., eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/218145129-3/1051361285/1869/244.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04332-8..00042-1_987. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
  5. Keratoconus. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec20/ch230/ch230i.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
  6. Schena LB. Keratoconus: Questions and solutions. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.aao.or/aao/publications/eyenet/200703/refractive.cfm. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
  7. Gupta N, et al. Keratoconus: Diagnosis and management. http://www.aao.or/aao/publications/eyenet/200705/pearls.cfm. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
  8. Kymes SM, et al. Changes in the quality-of-life of people with keratoconus. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2008;145:611.
  9. Comprehensive eye and vision examination. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/x4725.xml. Accessed Sept. 16, 2010.
  10. Belin MW, et al. Keratoconus: It is hard to define, but ... . American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2007;143:500.
  11. Mannis MJ. Keratoconus: Why and when do we turn to surgical therapy? American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2006;142:1044.
  12. Crosby MB, et al. Management of keratoconus. Contemporary Ophthalmology. 2007;6:1.
  13. Yildiz EH, et al. Quality of life in keratoconus patients after penetrating keratoplasty. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2010;149:416.
  14. Han DCY, et al. Comparison of outcomes of lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2009;148:744.
  15. Vinciguerra P, et al. Intraoperative and postoperative effects of corneal collagen cross-linking on progressive keratoconus. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2009;127:1258.
  16. Kymionis GD, et al. Long-term follow-up of Intacs in keratoconus. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2007;143:236.
DS01116 Oct. 28, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger