Retrospective Analysis of Comorbidities in a Select Keratoconic Population.

Background: Keratoconus is a progressive corneal degeneration of an unknown etiology
characterized by thinning of the corneal stroma, corneal protrusion, and increased myopia and irregular astigmatism. Genetic, biochemical, and histopathologic contributions to disease presentation and progression are under investigation, with existing evidence supporting contributions by each of these factors toward keratoconus development. Though several conditions have been shown to have strong associations with keratoconus, this disease usually presents in isolation. In this work, we investigate the prevalence of comorbid factors within a small population of known keratoconus patients as well as provide a thorough review of current literature on the disease. Methods: In this retrospective study, keratoconus patient records at the Michigan College of Optometry clinic were analyzed and all encountered comorbidities were tallied. The prevalence rates of these diseases within this population were then compared to known general prevalence rates. Results: Due to confounds inherent in experiment design, retrospective analysis
does not allow for inferences of direct correlation or causation of any of the encountered
comorbidities within our population. However interesting associations between the
pathological processes regulating keratoconus and those of glaucoma and metastatic
disease are worth consideration and warrant further investigation. Conclusions: This
work, though rudimentary, does present some interesting information and inclusion of
this data into some larger study may allow for future analysis of comordities found in
keratoconus patients that can more accurately be compared to the general population.