Is this a cause of KC?

[John Smith]

I just came across this on an old BBC News story:

Around 3,000 corneal grafts are carried out every year.

Many are needed because of keratoconus, a disorder of the shape of the cornea, or corneal disease, often caused by cataract surgery.

Does anyone know if this is true - do people contract KC following cataract surgery? I've not come across any of these in the group.

[Bob Somi]

Emperical evidence would suggest otherwise; most people develop KC in their late teens early 20's. Myself when I was 35.

Most cataract operations are done on people over the age of 60.

draw your own conclusion !

[Richard In Wales]

I was told its hereditory, although no one else in my large family has it

[Christine Wright]

Yes, it looks as if they've muddled up two completely different corneal conditions. After traditional cataract surgery a minority of corneas would 'decompensate', that is, the delicate fluid exchange mechanism that keeps the cornea transparent would break down, and the cornea would go translucent (like a bathroom window). This is much less common with the latest cataract surgery techniques, which are like keyhole surgery and cause minimal disruption to the cornea. As you will have gathered, this is nothing to do with keratoconus!