International Journal of Keratoconus and Ectatic Corneal Diseases

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VOLUME 3 , ISSUE 1 ( January-April, 2014 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Prevalence of Keratoconus among Young Arab students in Israel

Ramez Barbara, Ariela Gordon-Shaag, Michel Millodot, Einat Shneor, Maron Essa, Miriam Anton

Citation Information : Barbara R, Gordon-Shaag A, Millodot M, Shneor E, Essa M, Anton M. Prevalence of Keratoconus among Young Arab students in Israel. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2014; 3 (1):9-14.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10025-1070

Published Online: 01-12-2016

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2014; The Author(s).


Abstract

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of keratoconus (KC) in an Arab population in Israel.

Materials and methods

Videokeratography was performed on volunteer students from the Academic Arab College of Education, in Haifa, Israel. All participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire to evaluate possible risk factors for KC. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed.

Results

Data of 314 participants were analyzed and a prevalence of (N = 10), 3.18% (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.1%) was found. The only significant factor (both in univariate and multivariate analysis) that was associated with KC was parental consanguinity (OR 5.10, p = 0.02). Druzes and Bedouins had a higher prevalence than Muslims and Christians. However, the differences were not significant possibly due to the small size of the sample.

Conclusion

The result of this study was similar to other studies conducted in the Middle East, which indicate a higher prevalence of KC than in western countries. It is also recommended that people who have consanguinity in their family should be topographically tested to detect the early stages of KC.

How to cite this article

Shneor E, Millodot M, Gordon-Shaag A, Essa M, Anton M, Barbara R, Barbara A. Prevalence of Keratoconus among Young Arab Students in Israel. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2014;3(1):9-14.


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