Why carry out this study?

Keratoconus is a progressive disease that usually begins in late adolescence and gradually deforms and thins the cornea. Its treatment depends on the severity of the disease but also on the visual imperatives of the patient.

The disease and its treatments have a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate and describe, with the help of patients, the impact of keratoconus and its treatments on the quality of life, disability and dependency in patients suffering from different stages of the disease, and to develop a detailed conceptual model of disease and treatment impact on the daily life of patients.

What was learned from the study?

A detailed and comprehensive conceptual model shows interactions between disease symptoms, patient characteristics and treatments, impact on visual function, interaction of environment, and impact on patients’ quality of life.

Psychological, social, professional, educational, financial and daily life concepts were all impacted.

This study will allow us to develop a new questionnaire for the assessment of the impact of keratoconus and its treatment on the quality of life of patients.