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Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Keratoconus

Keratoconus

Category(ies): Cornea
Contributor: Austin R. Fox, MD; A. Tim Johnson, MD, PhD
Photographer: Brice Critser, CRA

Slit lamp with keratoconus shows the cone-shaped cornea
Figure 1. Slit lamp photograph of the left eye of a patient with keratoconus shows the cone-shaped cornea in right gaze.
Slit lamp patient with keratoconus
Figure 2. Slit lamp photograph of the left eye of a patient with keratoconus shows the cone-shaped cornea creating an indentation or bowing of the lower eyelid in downgaze, also known as Munson's sign.
Scheimpflug imaging demonstrates the cone-shaped cornea of keratoconus
Figure 3. Scheimpflug imaging demonstrates the cone-shaped cornea of keratoconus. Advanced corneal thinning can be appreciated in the central cornea.
Pentacam 4 Map Report of a patient with advanced keratoconus
Figure 4. Pentacam 4 Map Report of a patient with advanced keratoconus. The axial curvature map depicts a steep anterior corneal curvature centrally with a large difference in refractive power at the apex compared to the periphery. The anterior float and posterior float maps also depict the elevated central cornea compared to the depressed periphery. The corneal thickness map depicts advanced central corneal thinning, consistent with advanced keratoconus.

Contributor: Jesse Vislisel, MD
Photographer: Stefani Karakas, CRA

Keratoconus is a bilateral corneal ectasia characterized by central thinning and bulging of the cornea resulting in a cone-shaped protrusion. This patient demonstrates multiple characteristic signs of the condition.

central Vogt's striae
Figure 1. Demonstrates central Vogt's striae, or parallel, vertical lines from posterior stromal stress. A Fleischer ring, or epithelial iron deposition around the base of the cone is visible superiorly. The horizontally-oriented opacities are areas of stromal scarring.
slit beam to show the paracentral cone
Figure 2. A slit beam to show the paracentral cone with associated stromal thinning
apical scarring
Figure 3. Significant apical scarring in the contralateral eye
Protrusion of the bottom eyelid is downgaze
Figure 4. Protrusion of the bottom eyelid is downgaze due to the cone-shaped cornea.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus

Contributor: William Charles Caccamise, Sr, MD,Retired Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

*Dr. Caccamise has very generously shared his images of patients taken while operating during the "eye season" in rural India as well as those from his private practice during the 1960's and 1970's. Many of his images are significant for their historical perspective and for techniques and conditions seen in settings in undeveloped areas.

scarring of the cornea at the apex of the keratoconus
Figure 1. The photo shows scarring of the cornea at the apex of the keratoconus.
scarring of the cornea at the apex of the keratoconus
Figure 2. This female patient demonstrated the typical findings with keratoconus: There was conical ectasia (bulging) with an irregular myopic astigmatism. Keratoconus is sometimes called ectatic corneal dystrophy. 70% of the cases occur in females.

Munson's sign in left eye

Munson's sign in left eye

Munson's sign
Keratoconus is present in both eyes. However, Munson's sign (bowing of the lower lid upon downgaze) is apparent in left eye only.
Munson's sign high magnification
Keratoconus is present in both eyes. However, Munson's sign (bowing of the lower lid upon downgaze) is apparent in left eye only.