Monitoring of Keratoconus Progression

The monitoring of ectatic diseases over time (keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia) is a crucial issue since its progression naturally leads to a loss of vision that could be halted otherwise by available treatments if appropriately recognized at early stages of the progression (Wollensak et al., Am J Ophthalmol 135:620–627, 2003; Bedi et al., J Refract Surg 28(6):392–396, 2012). Although some variables have been suggested for monitoring keratoconus (KC) progression (Kanellopoulos and Asimellis, Clin Ophthalmol 7:1539–1548, 2013; Brown et al., Eye Contact Lens 40(6):331–338, 2014; Belin, Eye Contact Lens 40(6):326–330, 2014), to date, there is still no consensus on the most appropriate clinical, morphological or biomechanical parameter to track, in order to closely monitor the disease and detect the earliest manifestation of progression. This chapter, therefore, aims to summarize and provide an update on the most recent guideline for monitoring ectatic disease.