gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of the devastating Turkish earthquake in 2003 on the prevalence of keratoconus and corneal topographic parameters, with a focus on identifying potential associations between earthquake-induced environmental/psychological stressors and changes in keratoconus presentations.

Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted at a single center by comparing clinical data and corneal topography measured before and after the earthquake. Parameters evaluated included K1, K2, Kmax, corneal thickness, and asymmetry indices (the keratoconus index (KI), index of height of decentration (IHD), central keratoconus index (CKI), and Kmax-K2). Statistical analyses were performed to assess alterations in the prevalence of keratoconus and topographic indices.

Results: Although the overall increase in the prevalence of keratoconus, from 14.0% (n=28) pre-earthquake to 21.0% (n=42) post-earthquake, was not statistically significant (p>0.05), significant changes were observed in corneal asymmetry indices. Specifically, the KI increased at a value of p=0.03, the IHD at p=0.02, and the CKI at p=0.01. The difference between Kmax and K2 was also significant (p=0.04).

Conclusion: The findings indicate a trend toward a higher prevalence of keratoconus coupled with significant alterations in corneal asymmetry measurements following the Turkish earthquake of 2023. These results support the hypothesis that earthquake-related environmental and psychological factors may affect the progression of keratoconus, underscoring the need for further multicenter, long-term studies to clarify these associations and underlying mechanisms.