@article { , title = {Topographic indications of emerging keratoconus in teenage New Zealanders}, abstract = {PURPOSE: To screen a population of teenagers for emerging topographic signs of keratoconus (KC), with particular reference to ethnicity. METHODS: Corneal topography, visual acuity, and an environmental risk factor analysis were included in a screening program designed to identify early indications of potential KC in teenagers. Two schools from central North Island, New Zealand, were invited to participate: one with predominantly Maori/Polynesian students and the other with students of mainly European descent. RESULTS: A total of 198 Maori/Polynesian, 16.8 ± 1.05 years of age, and 243 European students, 16.2 ± 1.3 years of age, participated in the study. Corneal topography suggestive strongly of KC was evident in 3 Maori/Polynesian [1.2\%; 95\% confidence interval (CI): 0.3-4.3] and no European students (0\%; 95\% CI, 0\%-1.5\%). Anomalous corneal topography reminiscent of emerging KC in at least 1 eye were found in 19\% (95\% CI, 15.6\%-22.9\%). A significant difference (P = 0.0014) in the percentage of suspected KC was found between European students (12.9\%; 95\% CI, 9.2\%-17.9\%) and Maori/Polynesian students (26.9\%; 95\% CI, 21.0\%-33.7\%). In multivariate analyses, the significant independent predictors of probable or suspected KC included being Maori/Polynesian [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1; 95\% CI, 1.25-3.54; P = 0.0052], increasing age (OR = 1.4; 95\% CI, 1.10-1.80; P = 0.0067), and a history of hayfever (OR = 2.0; 95\% CI, 1.16-3.59; P = 0.013). Topographical indicators that were associated significantly with suspected KC included central keratometry (P < 0.0001), astigmatism (P = 0.014), and inferior-superior asymmetry (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although only a longitudinal study will determine the proportion of true KC candidates, these data provide evidence of ethnicity-related differences in corneal topography in teenage New Zealanders. © 2007 Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins, Inc.}, doi = {10.1097/ICO.0b013e31802f8d87}, issn = {0277-3740}, issue = {3}, journal = {Cornea}, pages = {312-318}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Lippincott, Williams \& Wilkins}, url = {https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1028566}, volume = {26}, year = {2007}, author = {Gamble, Greg D. and Boyce, Nicola K. and Owens, Helen and Bjornholdt, Melissa C and Keung, Lynnell} }