Latest K-MAP Study Updates Keratoconus Prevalence in Russia

Keratoconus was long thought to be rare, with prevalence estimated at only 0.05% based on data from the 1980s. With modern corneal imaging and standardized diagnostic protocols, current evidence shows that the condition is far more common.

At the ESCRS 2025 Congress in Copenhagen, Dr. Emilio Torres-Netto, MD, PhD, FEBO, FWCRS, Senior Cornea Surgeon at the ELZA Institute, presented new findings from the K-MAP (Keratoconus Map) multicenter study. He also discussed the results with Ocular Surgery News. K-MAP is a global project mapping keratoconus prevalence across 13 countries on five continents, with over 30 active sites already participating.

The dataset presented in Copenhagen was collected with Prof. Mukharram Bikbov and the Ufa Eye Research Institute of Bashkir State Medical University in Russia. It included 6,440 eyes from 3,220 children and young adults aged 6 to 21 years. Corneal tomography was performed using Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam, Oculus), and maps were reviewed by an international panel of masked examiners. The analysis showed a keratoconus prevalence of 0.5%, which is ten times higher than the 0.05% reported in the 1986 U.S. study by Kennedy et al.

An earlier K-MAP study in Saudi Arabia (2018) found an even higher prevalence of nearly 5% among young people, demonstrating considerable geographical variation. While genetic factors may play a role, Dr. Torres-Netto noted that the main reason for these higher prevalence figures is improved diagnostic accuracy. In the 1980s, keratoconus was typically diagnosed with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and light reflexes. Today, advanced tomography can detect early and subtle disease that would previously have been missed.

The K-MAP project is supported by the Light for Sight Foundation, which focuses on improving care for young patients with keratoconus. Robust prevalence data is essential for healthcare systems to plan screening programs, allocate resources, and ensure timely access to corneal cross-linking.

As data collection expands, additional regions will be included in the global map of keratoconus prevalence. This will provide healthcare planners with reliable information to guide early detection and treatment strategies. The findings from Copenhagen confirm that keratoconus is more widespread than previously believed, underlining the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention.

Read the original report in Ocular Surgery News.