[Evaluation of the rapidity of progression of keratoconus by a study of the relationship between age when first detected and age at operation (author's transl)].

The rapidity of progression of keratoconus was evaluated by studying the relationship between the age when the condition was first detected and that when transfixing keratoplasty became necessary. Apparently, the younger the patient the more rapid is the progression of the keratoconus to stage III and IV, when surgical intervention is required. To test this hypothesis, 187 case reports were analyzed by computer. The same criteria had been applied when making the decision to operate, as the same surgeon was involved in all cases. Statistical analysis of the data demonstrated that the course of keratoconus is quite independent of the age when it is detected clinically, the average period before operation being constant at approximately 10 years.