Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case study
Background: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive, asymmetrical corneal disease, characterized by stromal thinning that leads to distortion, causing vision loss. The visual loss is secondary to corneal scarring, irregular astigmatism, and myopia. The prevalence of KC has been reported to differ in diff...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PAGEPress Publications
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
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| Online Access: | https://jphia.btvb.org/jphia/article/view/2356 |
| _version_ | 1797730805847425024 |
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| author | Nonkululeko M. Gcabashe Vanessa Raquel Moodley Rekha Hansraj |
| author_facet | Nonkululeko M. Gcabashe Vanessa Raquel Moodley Rekha Hansraj |
| author_sort | Nonkululeko M. Gcabashe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive, asymmetrical corneal disease, characterized by stromal thinning that leads to distortion, causing vision loss. The visual loss is secondary to corneal scarring, irregular astigmatism, and myopia. The prevalence of KC has been reported to differ in different parts of the world. Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and profile of patients with KC presenting to a provincial hospital in KwaZulu – Natal, South Africa. Methods: A retrospective study design was used to review 412 clinical records of patients attending the McCord Provincial Eye Hospital (MPEH) during a five-year period (2016 - 2020). Data on age, race, refraction, clinical profile, treatment plan, and diagnosis were ascertained. Results: The prevalence of KC in MPEH was found to be 13.7% with a mean age of 24.7 ± 7.94 years. Black African and females had a higher frequency of KC compared to males and other ethnic groups. Most of the patients presented with a severe stage of KC and referral was the most common management. Central corneal thinning and Munson’s sign were the most prevalent clinical signs. There was no statistically significant difference between the worse and better eye when comparing the clinical signs. Conclusions: The prevalence and clinical profile of patients with KC in this study was similar to that reported by previous studies and more in Blacks and females. Population based epidemiological studies are needed to determine the prevalence of KC in South Africa to enable early clinical interventions.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:49:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-51f56855cdb24c809c22f94b09648ea0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2038-9922 2038-9930 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:49:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
| spelling | doaj.art-51f56855cdb24c809c22f94b09648ea02023-08-31T10:46:03ZengPAGEPress PublicationsJournal of Public Health in Africa2038-99222038-99302023-08-0110.4081/jphia.2023.2356Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case studyNonkululeko M. Gcabashe0Vanessa Raquel Moodley 1Rekha Hansraj2Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDiscipline of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDiscipline of Optometry, School of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban Background: Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive, asymmetrical corneal disease, characterized by stromal thinning that leads to distortion, causing vision loss. The visual loss is secondary to corneal scarring, irregular astigmatism, and myopia. The prevalence of KC has been reported to differ in different parts of the world. Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and profile of patients with KC presenting to a provincial hospital in KwaZulu – Natal, South Africa. Methods: A retrospective study design was used to review 412 clinical records of patients attending the McCord Provincial Eye Hospital (MPEH) during a five-year period (2016 - 2020). Data on age, race, refraction, clinical profile, treatment plan, and diagnosis were ascertained. Results: The prevalence of KC in MPEH was found to be 13.7% with a mean age of 24.7 ± 7.94 years. Black African and females had a higher frequency of KC compared to males and other ethnic groups. Most of the patients presented with a severe stage of KC and referral was the most common management. Central corneal thinning and Munson’s sign were the most prevalent clinical signs. There was no statistically significant difference between the worse and better eye when comparing the clinical signs. Conclusions: The prevalence and clinical profile of patients with KC in this study was similar to that reported by previous studies and more in Blacks and females. Population based epidemiological studies are needed to determine the prevalence of KC in South Africa to enable early clinical interventions. https://jphia.btvb.org/jphia/article/view/2356Keratoconusvernal keratoconjunctivitisprevalencecentral corneal thinningcorneal scarring |
| spellingShingle | Nonkululeko M. Gcabashe Vanessa Raquel Moodley Rekha Hansraj Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case study Journal of Public Health in Africa Keratoconus vernal keratoconjunctivitis prevalence central corneal thinning corneal scarring |
| title | Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case study |
| title_full | Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case study |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case study |
| title_short | Prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in KwaZulu, Natal, South Africa: a case study |
| title_sort | prevalence and clinical profile of keratoconus in patients presenting at a provincial hospital in kwazulu natal south africa a case study |
| topic | Keratoconus vernal keratoconjunctivitis prevalence central corneal thinning corneal scarring |
| url | https://jphia.btvb.org/jphia/article/view/2356 |
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