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Cohort studyInternational ophthalmology · 2026

Increased genotoxicity in human corneal epithelial cells associated with keratoconus.

Mümin Enver Yiğit, Serdar Çetinkaya, Gökhan Özge … Önder Ayyıldız

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OphthalmologyCohort study

Corneal cells show far more DNA damage in keratoconus than in healthy eyes.

Increased genotoxicity in human corneal epithelial cells associated with keratoconus.

Mümin Enver Yiğit … Önder Ayyıldız

International ophthalmology · 2026

Purpose

The corneal epithelium is a biologically active tissue that helps maintain corneal homeostasis through continuous interaction with the underlying stroma.

Methods

This prospective study included 31 eyes with progressive keratoconus undergoing corneal cross-linking (CXL) and 34 healthy control eyes undergoing photorefractive keratectomy (photorefractive keratectomy).

n = 31 eyes

Results

Micronucleus frequency was far higher in keratoconus corneal cells than in controls (0.50‰).

5.45‰

Keratoconus

0.5‰

Control

More results

In keratoconus, micronucleus frequency correlated positively with smoking exposure (r = 0.628; p = 0.038).

In controls, micronucleus frequency correlated with contact lens use duration (r = 0.523; p = 0.009).

Micronucleus frequency was not associated with keratoconus staging parameters.

“

Conclusion

Corneal epithelial cells in keratoconus show increased genotoxicity, supporting increased epithelial genomic instability in keratoconus.

Post

Increased genotoxicity in human corneal epithelial cells associated with keratoconus.

Corneal cells show far more DNA damage in keratoconus than in healthy eyes.

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