recruitment difficulties

Keratoconus is a progressive disorder in which central and paracentral corneal stromal thinning occurs.

No studies evaluated the influence of keratoconus on stress at work, nor the influence of treatments of keratoconus on stress at work, including Quality of Life at work and on perception of work. Moreover, it has been shown that some pathologies had greater influence in some occupations, also depending on other characteristics of individuals such as age, sex or socio professional groups.

Therefore, we hypothesized that keratoconus 1) will influence stress at work including QoL at work and perception of work, 2) will have a greater influence in some occupations and depending on age, sex, or stage of keratoconus, 3) will induce stoppage of work and occupational reclassifications.

This is a descriptive, prospective, observational, monocentral study. For each patient with keratoconus and patient control, use of the auto questionnaire to carry out the study. we only assessed data from usual routine practice.

Stress at work is measured by Job Content Questionnaire of Karasek issued during consultations.

Study all workers the influence of keratoconus and its stage on:

• consequences of keratoconus in function of visual acuity, mode of correction and staging of the keratoconus.
• Psychological consequences: Quality of life at work, Perception of work (Karasek questionnaire), anxiety and depression (HAD scale)
• Professional consequences: stoppage of work and duration and occupational reclassifications
• Characteristics of the patient: age, sex, occupation.

Measures to reduce or avoid bias:

• Standardized, anonymous auto questionnaire
• A large workforce: high rate of participation is expected
• Inclusion of control group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with keratoconus all stages followed at the CHU Gabriel Montpied,
• patients constituting a representative control group of workers consulting in ophthalmology service of Clermont-Ferrand.

Exclusion Criteria:

• an other ophtalmological disease alters visual acuity.
• minors subjects
• inability to provide informed consent

patients with keratoconus patients constituting a representative control group of workers consulting in ophthalmology service of Clermont-Ferrand.