Atopy and HLA antigens in patients with keratoconus.

Thirty unrelated Caucasian patients with keratoconus and 30 patients with regular astigmatism which served as a control group were typed for histocompatibility (HLA) antigens. Their serum levels of immunoglobulins were determined and past and present history of atopic disease of their own as well as among their relatives were examined. No association between keratoconus and any specific HLA antigen was noted. Neither was any statistically significant increase of atopic disease in the keratoconus population observed. Nor was any correlation between elevated IgE level and keratoconus found. However, a statistically significant increase of atopic disease among the relatives of the keratoconus group was found. In conclusion, no evidence for HLA association with keratoconus disease was found. The results suggest that there may be a association between keratoconus and atopic disease.