Keratoconus Awareness And Disease Effect On Life Of Keratoconus Libyan Patients.

We aimed to test the general awareness of keratoconus patients and their relatives who have a refractive error, especially with astigmatism, about keratoconus nature and treatment, how it affects patients’ lives, and also try to determine some risk factors, type of surgery if present, and how it changes the patient’s life.

Keratoconus, a progressive corneal thinning causing vision problems, disproportionately affects young adults during their formative years. Early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing vision loss and maintaining the quality of life. Assessing knowledge about the disease, treatment options, and family history is vital for effective screening programs targeting high-risk groups like those with positive family history and refractive errors.

A cross-sectional questionnaire with internal consistency assessed by a reliability coefficient of 0.7 (Cronbach's alpha) was used to gather data from 83 participants (69 patients with keratoconus and 14 relatives). The questionnaire, administered through a mix of conventional interviews and online surveys, briefly explored awareness of keratoconus, its impact on quality of life, risk factors, knowledge, and patient feedback on surgical interventions. 

78% of keratoconus patients and 71% of their relatives were aware; there was a strong correlation between allergy and keratoconus; there was no correlation between awareness and either: age, gender, work nature, or academic level; 36% of keratoconus patients their lives were moderately affected, and 33% were severely affected by keratoconus; moreover, 18% were not satisfied with their surgery, 2% were satisfied, and 36% were delighted.

Overall awareness of Keratoconus and their relatives was good; however, we need to increase this awareness, especially for the benefit of early detection and intervention that delay or stop disease progression, along with the role of positive family history.