Project information
Changes in the visual field of patients with keratoconus

Project Identification
MUNI/C/1734/2023
Project Period
3/2024 - 2/2025
Investor / Pogramme / Project type
Masaryk University
MU Faculty or unit
Faculty of Medicine
Keywords
keratoconus, degenerative corneal diseases, perimetry, static perimetry, visual field, peripheral vision

Keratoconus is a hereditary degenerative corneal disease, which consists of a progressive thinning of the cornea. Patients suffering from this condition experience a deterioration of their vision and an increase of irregular astigmatism. Perimetry is a basic examination method of the visual field. It allows the measurement of the function of the visual field and detection of loss of the peripheral vision. Volunteers were examined on the Oculus Centerfield perimeter, which is a static threshold perimeter. The aim of this research is to determine whether patients suffering from keratoconus have a deteriorated visual field compared to the control group. These results may deepen our understanding of vision of people with keratoconus, as they concentrate not just on the central visual acuity, but the peripheral vision and sensitivity.

Results

A total of 40 volunteers were examined. The data was collected from December 2023 to December 2024. Two hypotheses were formulated before the start of the research. The first hypothesis dealt with the question, whether patients with lower corrected visual acuity would also have lower mean sensitivity. The second hypothesis aimed to compare the results of the mean sensitivity of volunteers with keratoconus and the control group. The volunteers with keratoconus, who had lower corrected VA then 0,8, also had lower mean sensitivity values. Also, the volunteers with keratoconus had lower value of mean sensitivity than the control group. The average value of mean sensitivity for right eyes was 17,75 ±2,2 dB for keratoconic patients, 20,27 ±1,8 dB in the control group. In the case of left eyes the results were 17,38 ±2,2 dB for keratoconus and 20,62 ±1,7 dB in the control group. So, volunteers suffering from keratoconus had lower average of mean sensitivity then healthy patients, despite their similar age. The assessment and diagnosis of keratoconus often use only central visual acuity. However, it is important to realize that this disease can also affect peripheral vision. Although we usually have lower demands on our peripheral vision than the central vision, its role is still irreplaceable. The deterioration of peripheral vision can affect the quality of life of patients with keratoconus.

Publications

Total number of publications: 3


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