Keratoconus More Common in Children Than Previously Thought - Takeaways - MDSpire

Keratoconus More Common in Children Than Previously Thought

In "Unraveling the Mysteries of the Irregular Cornea," Jennifer S. Harthan, OD, discussed her team’s research and findings.

  • By

  • Summer Hunt

  • January 1, 2026

  • 2 min

Share

  • 1

    Keratoconus is more prevalent in children than previously thought, with a rate of 1 in 251 among ages 3 to 18.

  • 2

    The study found that keratoconus plus suspected cases occur in 1 in 72 children, significantly higher than earlier estimates.

  • 3

    Early onset keratoconus leads to faster progression and a higher risk of corneal transplant rejection.

  • 4

    Traditional diagnostic methods often miss subclinical keratoconus cases, highlighting the need for advanced screening.

  • 5

    Routine corneal tomography in pediatric exams is crucial for early detection and timely intervention to prevent vision loss.

Original Source(s)

Keratoconus More Common in Children Than Previously Thought

  • by Summer Hunt

  • January 1, 2026

Related Content

When the Answer Isn’t Clear: The Power of Comprehensive Data in Clinical Decision-Making

Exploring a complex case of progressive keratoconus reveals critical decision-making in clinical practice.

Scleral Lens Simplicity: Utilizing Anterior Segment OCT for Scleral Lens Fitting

A 26-year-old with keratoconus saw major visual improvement with scleral lenses, highlighting the benefits of anterior segment OCT in lens fitting accuracy.

Advances in Keratoconus Management

Crosslinking innovation and collaborative care are improving outcomes for patients.

  • May 1, 2026

  • 4 min