[Patterns of keratoconus]

Three clinical patterns of keratoconus were distinguished in the course of a long (up to 15 years) follow-up of 162 patients with different stages of the disease: chronic progressive stage, long (more than 5.5 years) remission, and acute stage. Keratoconus progresses for up to 5 years in 82.1% of cases. In 11.4% the disease remains at one stage, more often at the initial one, and a long remission ensues. Acute keratoconus develops in 6.8% of cases, not only in terminal and far advanced, but even at the well-developed stage, this proves the desirability of early keratoplasty in the progressive course of the disease.