PURPOSE: To report eyes with keratoconus that progressed during pregnancy. METHODS: Seven eyes of 4 patients with progression of keratoconus during pregnancy were included in this study. The mean age of patients and the mean follow-up duration were 29.3 years and 39 months, respectively. Progressive keratoconus was documented with changes in refraction, corneal topography, and rigid gas-permeable lens fitting pattern. Patients with accompanying systemic and ocular diseases associated with keratoconus, uncontrolled atopic disease, and eye rubbing were excluded. RESULTS: Mean increase in spherical equivalent refraction and simulated keratometry values were 1.4 ± 1.1 and 1.1 ± 0.8 diopters, respectively. In eyes wearing rigid gas-permeable lenses, increase in corneal apical touch and decrease in the base curve radius of the best-fitting contact lens were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal changes during pregnancy may affect corneal biomechanics negatively, and pregnancy may be a previously unrecognized risk factor for progression of keratoconus. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing pregnancy-induced keratoconus progression in patients with no accompanying disease.
PURPOSE: To report eyes with keratoconus that progressed during pregnancy. METHODS: Seven eyes of 4 patients with progression of keratoconus during pregnancy were included in this study. The mean age of patients and the mean follow-up duration were 29.3 years and 39 months, respectively. Progressive keratoconus was documented with changes in refraction, corneal topography, and rigid gas-permeable lens fitting pattern. Patients with accompanying systemic and ocular diseases associated with keratoconus, uncontrolled atopic disease, and eye rubbing were excluded. RESULTS: Mean increase in spherical equivalent refraction and simulated keratometry values were 1.4 ± 1.1 and 1.1 ± 0.8 diopters, respectively. In eyes wearing rigid gas-permeable lenses, increase in corneal apical touch and decrease in the base curve radius of the best-fitting contact lens were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal changes during pregnancy may affect corneal biomechanics negatively, and pregnancy may be a previously unrecognized risk factor for progression of keratoconus. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing pregnancy-induced keratoconus progression in patients with no accompanying disease.
Authors: Louisa M Bulirsch; Constance Weber; Marlene Saßmannshausen; Markus Kohlhaas; Frank G Holz; Karin U Loeffler; Martina C Herwig-Carl Journal: Ophthalmologe Date: 2021-12-07 Impact factor: 1.059
Authors: Dimitrios Karamichos; Paulina Escandon; Brenda Vasini; Sarah E Nicholas; Lyly Van; Deanna H Dang; Rebecca L Cunningham; Kamran M Riaz Journal: Prog Retin Eye Res Date: 2021-11-02 Impact factor: 19.704