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Case Reports
. 2025 Jun 24;17(6):e86668.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.86668. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Keratoconus: Diagnosis and Management by Family Physicians

A C Aranda  1 , Sandra S Quitério  1 , Bárbara Junqueira  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Keratoconus: Diagnosis and Management by Family Physicians

A C Aranda et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Keratoconus is a chronic progressive disease that affects the cornea. Given the nonspecificity of the initial symptoms, it is often confused with common refractive errors (myopia and irregular astigmatism). This is a case of a 29-year-old male patient with a progressive decrease in visual acuity in his right eye, associated with ocular pruritus and frequent eye rubbing. Clinical examination revealed signs suggestive of keratoconus, leading to a timely referral to ophthalmology. Even so, the patient had to undergo a corneal transplant. Despite rapid recognition and referral by a family physician (FP), the impact on quality of life was significant, requiring time off work and support for daily activities. The case illustrates the importance of thorough physical examination and clinical suspicion in Primary Health Care for early diagnosis. It highlights the role of FPs in preventing the progression of the disease and collaborative management with ophthalmology to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients.

Keywords: corneal diseases; early diagnosis; keratoconus; primary care; visual acuity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Characteristic keratoconus findings (right eye)
A: Corneal protrusion - Munson's sign; B: Conjunctival hyperemia
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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