Addressing the Gap in Keratoconus Diagnosis - Report - MDSpire

Addressing the Gap in Keratoconus Diagnosis

Early screening and the new Epioxa treatment could transform keratoconus care.

  • By

  • Tiffany Andrzejewski, OD

  • Parag A. Majmudar, MD

  • July 1, 2026

  • 10 min

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Clinical Report: Addressing the Gap in Keratoconus Diagnosis

Overview

Keratoconus (KC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to significant vision loss. Early screening is crucial for timely intervention.

Background

Keratoconus is classified as a rare disease under the Orphan Drug Act, yet its prevalence may be underestimated. Early diagnosis is critical, as many patients are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed significantly.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Approximately 70% of keratoconus patients are diagnosed at moderate to advanced stages.
  • Only about 12% of newly diagnosed patients receive cross-linking therapy.
  • Topography/tomography is the most effective method for early detection of keratoconus.
  • Patients with certain conditions, such as Down syndrome and sleep apnea, have an elevated risk for keratoconus.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of the importance of early screening for keratoconus in high-risk populations.

Conclusion

Addressing the gaps in keratoconus diagnosis through early screening can help in timely intervention.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Contact Lens Spectrum, 2008 -- New Findings from the 2008 Global Keratoconus Congress
  2. Contact Lens Spectrum, 2007 -- News Spectrum
  3. Contact Lens Spectrum, 1997 -- Diagnosing Keratoconus...Are We Sounding the Alarm Too Soon?
  4. Keratoconus 7 (Concept Id: C3553308) - MedGen - NCBI
  5. Evaluating the Global Consensus on Keratoconus and Ectatic Diseases Agreements Reached on Subclinical Keratoconus - PubMed
  6. Global Incidence and Prevalence of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed
  7. Pilot Programme for Keratoconus Screening and Management in Adolescents with Down Syndrome | MDPI
  8. Contact Lens Spectrum — Diagnosing Keratoconus...Are We Sounding the Alarm Too Soon?
  9. Keratoconus 7 (Concept Id: C3553308) - MedGen - NCBI
  10. Evaluating the Global Consensus on Keratoconus and Ectatic Diseases Agreements Reached on Subclinical Keratoconus - PubMed
  11. Global Incidence and Prevalence of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed
  12. Pilot Programme for Keratoconus Screening and Management in Adolescents with Down Syndrome | MDPI
  13. Enhancing Early Keratoconus Detection With Multimodal Machine Learning: Integrating Tomography, Biomechanics, and Clinical Risk Factors - ScienceDirect
  14. Randomized, Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Oxygen-Enriched Epithelium-On Corneal Cross-Linking for the Treatment of Keratoconus - PubMed
  15. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing Epithelium-On and Epithelium-Off Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Keratoconus Management: Integrating New Evidence - PubMed
  16. Corneal crosslinking for keratoconus in children with thin corneas: A multicentre registry study - ScienceDirect

Original Source(s)

Addressing the Gap in Keratoconus Diagnosis

  • by Tiffany Andrzejewski, OD, Parag A. Majmudar, MD

  • July 1, 2026

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