Clinical profile of keratoconus patients in Sudan

Abstract

Background: Understanding the clinical profile of keratoconus is important in the diagnosis and management of the disease. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of keratoconus patients in Sudan with respect to age and gender. Materials and Methods: Clinical records of keratoconus patients were retrospectively reviewed in a period between April and June 2015. Records were collected from Makkah Eye Complex, Alwaledain Eye Charity Hospital and Sudan Eye Center, Khartoum City. Parameters investigated included patient's demography, keratometric readings, visual acuity, and manifest refraction. Classification of keratoconus was based on Amsler-Krumeich grading system. Results: A total of 208 patients' record was found diagnosed with keratoconus. The mean age of subjects was 21.43 ± 8.91 years. Around 78% of subjects were found with bilateral keratoconus. Analysis showed that keratoconus is more common in males (55.8%) than in females (44.2%) and manifest in young age (late teenage and early 20s). Age was not correlated with disease severity (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found between both genders in term of age, visual acuities, and severity of keratoconus (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Clinical profile of Sudanese keratoconus patients looks similar to that reported earlier worldwide.