The association between keratoconus and allergic eye diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: To investigate the association between keratoconus (KC) and allergic eye diseases, eye rubbing, and atopy.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies investigating eye allergy, atopy, and eye rubbing as risk factors for KC up to April 2021. Two authors independently screened all titles and abstracts against the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study analysed the prevalence of KC and its risk factors, including eye rubbing, family history of KC, atopy, and allergic eye diseases. The National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tool was used. Pooled data are presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The analysis was conducted using RevMan version 5.4 software.

Results: The initial search yielded 573 articles. After screening, 21 studies were identified for qualitative analysis and 15 for quantitative synthesis. A significant association was found between KC and eye rubbing (OR = 5.22, 95% CI [2.80, 9.75], p < 0.00001), family history of KC (OR = 6.67, 95% CI [4.77, 9.33], p < 0.00001), and allergies (OR = 2.21, 95% CI [1.57, 3.13], p < 0.00001). However, no significant association was found between KC and allergic eye disease (OR = 1.82, 95% CI [0.37, 8.97], p = 0.46), atopy (OR = 1.54, 95% CI [0.58, 4.09], p = 0.39), allergic rhinitis (OR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.54, 1.33], p = 0.47), smoking (OR = 0.96, 95% CI [0.76, 1.21], p = 0.73), and asthma (OR = 1.58, 95% CI [0.99, 2.53], p = 0.05).

Conclusion: Significant associations were observed between KC and eye rubbing, family history, and allergy, but not with allergic eye disease, atopy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

Keywords: allergy; atopy; eye rubbing; keratoconus; vernal conjunctivitis.