EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF KERATOCONUS AND CHALLENGES INHERENT TO ITS DIAGNOSIS: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Keratoconus is an asymmetric and bilateral disease, where the cornea assumes a conical shape resulting from ectasia, caused by the progressive thinning of its stroma. This process leads to irregular astigmatism and decreased visual acuity. Within corneal ectasias, keratoconus has the highest incidence of cases, standing out in ophthalmology and research in the area, which continually seek solutions and barriers to treat the disease. Early diagnosis of keratoconus can contribute to a better prognosis of the disease, avoiding possible surgical interventions. Therefore, this narrative literature review brought together articles from the main databases aiming to point out an epidemiological profile of the patient diagnosed with keratoconus and suggest measures to enhance the patient's adherence to treatment. It was concluded that keratoconus affects men and women of all ethnicities, with a higher incidence in the Middle East and Asian ethnicities. The highest rates typically occur in people between 20 and 30 years of age, and it is often diagnosed between adolescence and early adulthood. It can be considered as a disease that affects young people and, therefore, drastically affects their quality of life and functional capacity.