Management of keratoconus: an updated review

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Keratoconus is the most prevalent corneal ectatic disorder, causing progressive thinning, irregular astigmatism, and myopia.
• Affecting approximately 1 in 375 to 1 in 2,000 individuals globally, it disproportionately impacts younger populations.
• Management has evolved significantly from conservative methods to advanced surgical and therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of current and emerging treatments for keratoconus.
• To explore advancements in genetic research and artificial intelligence for keratoconus management.
• To propose a systematic treatment algorithm for guiding clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advancements in keratoconus management.
• Analysis of genetic studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
• Evaluation of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) for detection and prediction.

Main Results:

• Treatment options have expanded to include corneal cross-linking, refractive surgeries, corneal ring segments, and lamellar keratoplasty.
• Recent genetic discoveries offer potential for gene therapy to halt disease progression.
• AI-assisted algorithms show promise for earlier keratoconus detection and progression prediction.

Conclusions:

• The management of keratoconus has seen a paradigm shift with diverse therapeutic and refractive modalities.
• Genetic insights and AI are paving the way for innovative, personalized treatment strategies.
• A structured treatment algorithm is proposed to optimize patient care for this common corneal condition.