Clinical characteristics of keratoconus patients in Malaysia: a review from a cornea specialist centre

PurposeTo evaluate the demographic profile, refraction, visual acuity (VA), corneal curvature (K) and severity of keratoconus (KC) patients from a cornea specialist centre in Malaysia. This may improve the management of KC patients in this country.MethodsRecords of 13,000 patients were reviewed. The patients were categorized into 4 age groups: (Gp 1: <23 years, Gp 2: 23–32 years, Gp 3: 33–42 years, Gp 4: >42 years). Refraction and VA were determined using subjective refraction and Snellen chart. Corneal curvature was measured using Orbscan II topography. Severity of KC was graded following Amsler–Krumeich system. Data were analysed according to age, gender and ethnicity.ResultsA total of 159 patients had KC and the prevalence was 1.2%. Mean age of onset was 20.9±5.6 years, with 71.1% of males and 28.9% of females. Majority were of Indian and Malay origins. Percentages of patients within each age group were 26.4%, 52.8%, 18.9% and 1.9% respectively. Regarding severity, 37.6% were stage I, 30.1% stage II, 4.4% stage III and 27.8% stage IV at the time of diagnosis. The age of onset, refraction, mean K and VA was found to be similar between gender and ethnicity (p>0.05). Age of onset was not strongly correlated to the severity of the disease.ConclusionThis study concludes that there are higher percentages of Malays and Indians with KC than other races in Malaysia. The condition was found to manifest at a younger age and was more common in males than females. These findings should be considered during vision screening in Malaysia