While difficult to appreciate from this image, keratoconus develops when a conical shape ensues, due to thinning of the corneal stroma. This is a non-inflammatory condition.

Keratoconus is generally a sporadic disorder, but a minority have a family history of the condition as an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.

Most often affects those in the 2nd decade. Symptoms vary based on disease severity, with early forms often going unnoticed unless corneal topography is performed. Progression results in loss of visual acuity not compensated for with glasses.