Inverse relationship between age and severity and sequelae of acute corneal hydrops associated with keratoconus

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 91; no. 7; pp. 984 - 985
• Main Authors: Al Suhaibani, Adel H, Al-Rajhi, Ali A, Al-Motowa, Saeed, Wagoner, Michael D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.07.2007; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Age; Age Factors; Child; Clinical trials; Corneal Edema - etiology; Dermatitis; Female; Humans; Keratoconus - complications; Letters; Male; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2005.085878

In Saudi Arabia, patients present with severe keratoconus at a much younger age than in Western populations and have a higher incidence of associated atopic eye disease. 2, 3 The average age at the time of penetrating keratoplasty in our patient population is 19 years, with nearly one quarter of all cases performed in children 15 years of age or younger. 3 Approximately one fifth of cases have severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis or seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, 30% have a history of hydrops prior to corneal transplantation, 3 and one quarter of the cases have penetrating keratoplasty at 5 years of age or younger. 3 In this study we evaluate the influence of early age on the severity and sequelae of acute hydrops.