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New research · Ophthalmology
International ophthalmology · 4d
Cross-sectionalInternational ophthalmology · 2026

Proportion and clinical characteristics of keratoconus among patients attending refraction units: a retrospective facility-based study in Malawi.

Leaveson Thom, Vanessa V R Moodley
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OphthalmologyCross-sectional

Keratoconus was found in 5.7% of patients at Malawi's referral eye clinics.

Proportion and clinical characteristics of keratoconus among patients attending refraction units: a retrospective facility-based study in Malawi.

Leaveson Thom, Vanessa V R Moodley
International ophthalmology · 2026
Purpose

This study assessed the facility-based proportion, demographic profile, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with KC among patients attending tertiary referral refraction clinics in Malawi.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional review of clinical records was conducted at Malawi's four national referral eye hospitals.

Results

more than 1 in 20 patients had this cornea-thinning eye disease

0.2
Before
0.6
After
More results

Of the 1,400 targeted records, 1,180 (84.3%) were successfully retrieved.

KC was most common among individuals aged 18-35 years (p = 0.001) and varied significantly by facility and region (p < 0.005).

Significant inter-eye differences were observed for best-corrected visual acuity and astigmatic axis (p < 0.005), but not for keratometric measurements.

More results

Median visual acuity improved from 0.2 to 0.6 following refractive correction.

“
Conclusion · 1 of 2

Keratoconus represents a substantial clinical burden within Malawi's tertiary eye-care system and is associated with considerable visual impairment.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Strengthening early detection, access to corneal imaging, specialised rehabilitation services, and clinical information systems may improve diagnosis, management, and visual outcomes.

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