Abstract:

Keratoconus (KC) is the most common corneal dilatation, which is characterized by a convex and thinning cornea that leads to myopia, irregular astigmatism, and eventually vision loss. Many studies have reported the role of genes in the pathogenesis of keratoconus. For example, mutations in genes such as dedicator of cytokinesis 9(DOCK9), zinc finger E-binding homeobox 1(ZEB1), and zinc finger protein 469(ZNF469) can all cause the disease. But the pathogenicity of most genes is still limited. The pathogenesis may involve multiple mechanisms. In addition to genes, inflammation and apoptosis seem to be involved in the development of keratoconus.(Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2019, 43: 396-400)