Tomographic characteristics of keratoconus in a sample of Yemeni patients

Abstract

Background: Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory disorder that leads to visual impairment. Early diagnosis and treatment save the vision of the patients. Aim: This study aimed to identify tomographic characteristics of keratoconus in Yemeni patient sample. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 158 eyes affected with keratoconus presented to Ibn AlHaitham Eye Hospital during the period of 1st January 2019 to 1st March 2020. Besides the clinical signs, the diagnosis is confirmed by OCULUS Pentacam. Results: The results revealed significant differences between males and females at the level of anterior chamber volume, depth and asphericity coefficient QV. Younger age groups were affected more severely than any other age group; and females were older at presentation on their first visit than males. Elevation maps especially back elevation map correlate better with the severity than sagittal maps. Conclusion: children and females are at higher risk in terms of more severity in children. There is delay in presentation to health services for the females, besides the social shame of vision problems and glasses in our country. Early detection and early access to management services could save vision.