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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Three Different Protocols of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus: Conventional, Accelerated and Iontophoresis

Three Different Protocols of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus: Conventional, Accelerated and Iontophoresis

Published on: November 12, 2015

What causes keratoconus?

Joel Sugar¹, Marian S Macsai

¹Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

|March 13, 2012

Summary

Keratoconus likely results from a genetic predisposition combined with an environmental trigger, such as eye rubbing. This review explores the multifactorial causes of this progressive corneal disease.

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Genetics
Environmental Health

Background:

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition affecting corneal shape.
Its exact cause remains under investigation, with multiple factors implicated.

Purpose of the Study:

To review existing literature on the causes of keratoconus.
To evaluate the roles of genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors.

Main Methods:

Comprehensive review of peer-reviewed publications and abstracts.
Analysis of studies investigating keratoconus etiology.

Main Results:

Genetic predisposition is a key factor in keratoconus development.
Environmental factors, particularly eye rubbing and atopic disease, may act as a 'second hit'.

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Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Published on: December 8, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Three Different Protocols of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus: Conventional, Accelerated and Iontophoresis

Three Different Protocols of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking in Keratoconus: Conventional, Accelerated and Iontophoresis

Published on: November 12, 2015

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Three Strategies to Induce Neurotrophic Keratitis and Nerve Regeneration in Murine Cornea

Published on: December 8, 2023

Emerging evidence suggests inflammation may play a role, challenging the view of keratoconus as solely a thinning disorder.

Conclusions:

Keratoconus likely arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility and an environmental trigger.
Eye rubbing is a potential environmental factor contributing to disease progression in susceptible individuals.
Further research into inflammatory mediators is needed to fully understand keratoconus pathophysiology.