Keratoconus-like topographic changes in keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of inferior corneal steepening with a keratoconus-like pattern in a patient with nocturnal lagophthalmos and aqueous tear deficiency (ATD).


METHODS
Axial curvature mapping was performed with the Tomey TMS-2N videokeratoscopy instrument. Keratoconus-like topography patterns were identified with the Klyce Software package of this instrument.


RESULTS
Axial videokeratoscopy showed asymmetric inferior corneal steepening in the right eye. The surface regularity index (SRI), surface asymmetry index (SAI), and the simulated keratometric cylinder change (CYL) were 1.05, 5.05, and 0.75, respectively. The keratoconus screening indices were as follows for the right eye: Klyce/Maeda index of 95% similarity (clinical keratoconus interpreted) and Smolek/Klyce index of 23.09% severity (keratoconus suspect interpreted). Ultrasound pachymetric mapping showed a normal central corneal thickness. We found a similar topographic pattern of keratoconus in seven eyes of 74 dry eye patients who were previously evaluated with the Tomey TMS-2N.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic ocular desiccation and aqueous tear deficiency can produce inferior corneal steepening and high astigmatism resembling keratoconus.
De Paiva
Cintia S
CS
Ocular Surface Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College Of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Harris
Lindsey D
LD
Pflugfelder
Stephen C
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007638:Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca / Q000150:complications*; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism; D014792:Visual Acuity