TY  - JOUR
TI  - Evaluation of Personality Features and Mental
State of Keratoconus Patients
AB  - Objectives: Keratoconus (KCN) is a disorder that usually appears during adolescence and progressively reduces visual
acuity. KCN may lead to differences in personality features as a result of vision loss and the numerous clinical examinations
and treatment methods used from a young age. The aim of this study was to better understand the psychological characteristics
of KCN patients and to define possible correlations between corneal topographic parameters and psychological
state.
Methods: A total of 59 KCN cases were included in the study group and were compared with 65 age- and sex-matched
healthy individuals. All of the participants underwent a routine ophthalmic examination that included corrected distance
visual acuity (CDVA), biomicroscopy, and fundoscopy. The KCN patients were evaluated busing Scheimpflug corneal
topography. Psychiatric evaluations were performed using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Short Form
(EPQ), the Self-Confidence Scale, the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), and the Beck Depression
Inventory (BDI).
Results: The mean age of the case and control groups was 23.98±5.7 years and 25.82±5.4 years, respectively. The KCN
cases had significantly higher EPQ neuroticism subscale scores; higher MOCI subscale scores, with the exception of the
doubting subscale; and higher BDI scores. Analysis of the KCN duration revealed a positive correlation with the checking
and slowness subscales of the MOCI, however, there was no significant correlation between the psychometric scale
scores, corneal topographic parameters, and CDVA.
Conclusion: A substantially asymmetrical course and a relatively long period for KCN to result in severe vision loss
might explain the lack of correlations between psychological parameters and visual acuity. Nonetheless, the apparent
effect of vision loss on emotional distress cannot be disregarded; the day-to-day progressive loss of visual acuity and
multiple, costly interventions may initiate or contribute to a depressive mood in KCN patients. A vicious depressive cycle
and the exhaustion of long-term coping mechanisms might be underlying factors for the higher neuroticism scores seen
among KCN patients. Both the personality traits and mental state of KCN patients demonstrate distinguishing properties;
clinicians working with these patients should consider their mental state in addition to other factors in order to achieve
better treatment outcomes.
AU  - Aslan, Mehmet Gökhan
AU  - Akgoz, Hasan
AU  - Satılmaz, Muhammed Fatih
AU  - Hocaoglu, Cicek
AU  - Besenek, Mert
DO  - 10.14744/bej.2021.24482
PY  - 2021
JO  - BEYOGLU EYE JOURNAL
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
SN  - 2459-1777
SP  - 272
EP  - 279
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/511843
ER  -