Eczema and Keratoconus

Abstract

Thirty-two patients with eczema, half of whom had the atopic variety, were discovered among 100 patients with keratoconus—. 10 times the expected number. Many patients who develop keratoconus have an inherited defect of the posterior cornea—(kerato)conus posticus. Eczema, hay-fever, or emotional disturbance provides the stimulus that causes excessive eye-rubbing, and this may result in conical distortion of the cornea—keratoconus. Keratoconus should be suspected in young eczematous patients whose vision suddenly deteriorates. I would like to thank Mr. Frederick Ridley, who freely granted me the full facilities of his department and helped me with this survey, Mr. M. Rubin, who discussed many of the patients with me, and Dr. P. F. Borrie, who gave me access to his personal notes of 45 patients who had consulted him at Moorfields Hospital, City Road, for eczema; none of these had keratoconus. © 1965, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.