Original Research

Clinical characteristics of keratoconus patients at the University of KwaZulu-Natal eye clinic

Shishka Rupnarain, Nomvelo Madlala, Ntokozo Memela, Simpiwe Ngcobo, Nonkazimulo Shabalala, Naseera Simjee, Nonkululeko Gcabashe, Nishanee Rampersad
African Vision and Eye Health | Vol 79, No 1 | a528 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v79i1.528 | © 2020 Shishka Rupnarain, Nomvelo Madlala, Ntokozo Memela, Simpiwe Ngcobo, Nonkazimulo Shabalala, Naseera Simjee, Nonkululeko Gcabashe, Nishanee Rampersad | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 02 August 2019 | Published: 10 February 2020

About the author(s)

Shishka Rupnarain, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Nomvelo Madlala, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Ntokozo Memela, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Simpiwe Ngcobo, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Nonkazimulo Shabalala, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Naseera Simjee, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Nonkululeko Gcabashe, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Nishanee Rampersad, Discipline of Optometry, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Patients with keratoconus, which is a common corneal ectasia, often present to specialised clinics for management. Understanding the clinical characteristics of keratoconus patients can help improve knowledge of the presentation and management of this corneal ectasia and predict the needs of the clinic providing care for affected individuals.

Aim: To describe the clinical characteristics of keratoconus patients attending the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) eye clinic.

Setting: University of KwaZulu-Natal eye clinic.

Methods: The study used a retrospective research design by reviewing the clinical record cards of patients attending the UKZN contact lens eye clinic over a 4-year period (January 2014 to December 2017). Data related to age, clinical characteristics and method of management of the keratoconus patients were extracted and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Just less than one-quarter of all patients (n = 1210) attending the UKZN contact lens eye clinic had keratoconus that was most often bilateral. The mean age at presentation was 25.2 ± 9.6 years with 74% of the sample being younger than 30 years. More than 90% (n = 419) of the sample reported refractive reasons as the primary reason for presenting to the clinic. The majority of the sample had severe keratoconus (n = 257) and rigid contact lenses were most commonly used for management of keratoconus patients.

Conclusion: Keratoconus presents at an early age with a more severe grade and it is most commonly managed using rigid contact lenses. These findings should be considered for keratoconus screening, diagnosis and treatment programmes in KwaZulu-Natal.


Keywords

keratoconus; clinical characteristics; eye clinic; retrospective review; contact lenses

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Crossref Citations

1. Keratoconic patient profile and management at public sector facilities in South Africa
Pheagane M.W. Nkoana, Vanessa R. Moodley, Khathutshelo P. Mashige
African Vision and Eye Health  vol: 82  issue: 1  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/aveh.v82i1.780