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Abstract

Although Keratoconus has been recognised as a clinical entity for more than two millenia, the documentation of the change it produces in corneal dimensions has been only sparsely investigated and reported upon. This thesis analyses the parametric changes in 100 Keratoconus corneae over a two year period and the concurrent changes in visual acuity.

Topographical pachometry with a specially modified pachometer allowed corneal thickness to be measured at nine distinct points on the cornea. Anterior chamber depth and corneal radii being measured with conventional instruments, ‘The results show that corneal thinning always precedes corneal ectasia, so that early diagnosis would be aided by the use of instruments measuring corneal thickness rather than by those relying on reflections from the anterior corneal surface. The pattern of corneal thinning follows a fairly predictable path with time, the greatest amount of thinning occurring in the first two years from onset. The cornea tends eventually to stabilize at a corneal thickness 60% of normal. The greater rate of thinning always occurs at an eccentric but relatively central position. A positive correlation was found between visual acuity reduction and corneal thinning, irrespective of the mode of correction.

The patient sample was also analysed in terms of maternal age, social class and educational attainments. Here a significant new finding was that Keratoconus is a maternal age related condition. There is an inference that social class and educational attainments of the patients may also be a reflection of the generally older age of the mother. This also implies that some of the traits ascribed by clinicians to patients suffering from Keratoconus are to be anticipated and can be explained in socio-economic terms.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > QM Human anatomy R Medicine > RB Pathology R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Department of Optometry & Visual Science School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses The City Law School > The City Law School Doctoral Theses

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