Fourteen years follow-up of a stable unilateral Keratoconus: unique case report of clinical, tomographical and biomechanical stability

Abstract

Background: Keratoconus (KC) is a noninflammatory corneal ectatic disorder. In 2015, the Global Consensus on Keratoconus and Ectatic Diseases agreed that the pathophysiology of KC includes environmental, biomechanical, genetic, and biochemical disorders on one hand, and that true unilateral KC does not exist on the other hand. However, with the increasingly advancements in detection methods, we report the first case of a stable unilateral keratoconus with the longest follow up period of 14 years (2006–2020). We used topographic, tomographic, and biomechanical values for both eyes over the years to confirm the diagnosis, which has never been done before. Our study focuses on a single patient therefore it illustrates the mere possibility that unilateral keratoconus exists. Case presentation: We present the case of a 19-year-old male with no previous ocular or general health conditions who presented to our clinic in November 2006 for incidental finding of decreased vision of the right eye (OD) on a routine examination. Topographies, tomographies, and biomechanical analysis of both eyes were obtained and showed a unilateral right keratoconus at the time. Patient admitted to unilateral right eye rubbing. Although we cannot prove that previous eye rubbing alone led to these initial symptoms, he was advised to stop rubbing and was followed up without any intervention for fourteen years during which topographic, tomographic, and biomechanical values for both eyes remained stable, proving for the first time that unilateral KC could exist. Conclusion: We think that the data we are presenting is important because acknowledging that true unilateral keratoconus exists questions the genetic or primary biomechanical etiology of keratoconus versus the secondary biomechanical etiologies like eye rubbing. Our report also shows the importance of corneal biomechanics in detecting early changes. This is important to detect early, prevent progression, and tailor treatment.