Advances in early detection of keratoconus highlight role of emerging technologies

Early identification of keratoconus is critical to maximizing the effectiveness of corneal cross-linking and minimizing the risk of complications such as iatrogenic ectasia or the need for corneal transplantation, according to a recent review that explores how 3 key diagnostic tools—ocular response analyzer, Corvis ST, and optical coherence tomography—are improving the ability to detect keratoconus in its earliest stages.

Researchers conducted a literature search focusing on early and subclinical forms of keratoconus, including very asymmetric ectasia with normal topography. Findings suggest combining biomechanical data with corneal shape assessments from topography, tomography, or optical coherence tomography significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy.

The review concludes that since each technology measures different aspects of the cornea, integrated diagnostic approaches may be required to capture the subtle changes seen in early ectasia.

Reference
Wang X, Maeno S, Wang Y, et al. Early diagnosis of keratoconus using corneal biomechanics and OCT derived technologies. Eye Vis (Lond). 2025;12(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s40662-025-00435-3. PMID: 40350508.