In this epidemiological study we try to analyze the related-vision quality of life, and the symptoms and signs of dry eye in patients with keratoconus compared with a control group. Risk factors and associated diseases, related vision quality of life, symptoms and signs of dry eye (tear breakup time, Schirmer test and ocular surface staining), topography and corneal sensitivity were evaluated in both groups.
We found that patients with keratoconus had a lower average score in quality of life and symptoms questionnaires, shorter tear breakup time, greater staining of the ocular surface and lower corneal sensitivity than control subjects. A higher frequency of Meibomian gland dysfunction was observed in subjects with keratoconus.
Therefore, from the parameters evaluated in this study we demostrate that patients with keratoconus present worse vision related quality of life than control subjects, in addition, they report more symptoms of dry eye and show more damage to the ocular surface
