Early Detection
The importance of early detection
Disease progression can worsen over time, but early diagnosis may help.
[ Example of Keratoconus Progression Over Time* ]
*Individual outcomes may vary. The depiction may not reflect the typical keratoconus patient’s experience, and the timeline may vary. It is not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will have the same or similar outcomes.
Without early diagnosis and treatment intervention to preserve your vision, KC can lead to significant vision loss
[ KC Statistics ]
A recent survey found that the KC diagnosis process typically took months to years, with up to a third of people saying they didn’t receive enough information during this time. Some respondents feared losing their vision altogether.
The same research found that only 22% of those with KC had ever heard of the disease prior to diagnosis, while only 40% of caregivers had heard of it because it had run in their families.*
*Glaukos data on file
Do you have any family members with KC?
While the exact cause of KC is unknown, genetics could be a strong factor, along with the environment and hormonal changes.1 Unexplained vision problems within your family should raise an eyebrow.
[ KC Statistics ]
People with a parent, sibling, or child who has KC are roughly 6-25 times more likely to have or develop keratoconus compared to someone with no family history of the disease.2,3
In addition, keratoconus can affect up to 7 out of 10 people with Down syndrome.4
That’s why it’s extremely important to raise awareness of keratoconus in this community and to be aware of the potential signs and symptoms.
How can parents be proactive about monitoring their child’s eye health?
“If they have a family history of keratoconus and the children start needing glasses, I would recommend getting screened for KC – especially starting at age 12.”
[ References ]
- What causes keratoconus? National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF). Accessed October 11, 2022. https://nkcf.org/about-keratoconus/what-causes-keratoconus
- Almusawi, L. A., & Hamied, F. M. (2021). Risk Factors for Development of Keratoconus: A Matched Pair Case-Control Study. Clinical Ophthalmology, 15, 3473–3479. https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S248724
- Hashemi H, Heydarian S, Hooshmand E, Saatchi M, Yekta A, Aghamirsalim M, Valadkhan M, Mortazavi M, Hashemi A, Khabazkhoob M. The Prevalence and Risk Factors for Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cornea. 2020 Feb;39(2):263-270. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002150. PMID: 31498247.
- Outcomes of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking Under General Anesthesia in Down Syndrome Luis C. Barrientos, BS, Ryan Frisbie, MD, Jennifer L. Jung, MD, Lauren Mehner, MD, MPH, Casey Smith, MD, Rebecca G. Edwards Mayhew, MD, PhD, Ronald Wise, MD, Emily A. McCourt, MD, and Michael A. Puente, MD Cornea. 2025; 00:1-5.