PREVALENCE

Due to a lack of studies, the prevalence in South Africa is unknown.

However, anecdotal reports from practitioners, university eye clinics and hospitals indicate a significant increase in the incidence of keratoconus recently.

The increased incidence may be because some patients now have access to eye care services as previously, there were no optometrists employed in government hospitals to help to diagnose the condition so children just “went blind” from keratoconus.

Prevalence data from developed nations such as the US and the UK stand at 1 in 2000 and 1 in 1800 respectively and in developing nations such as India at 23 in 1000.