Keratoconus, magnesium deficiency, type A behavior, and allergy.

The etiology of keratoconus is still unknown. This project was designed to study, in a group of keratoconic patients and a control group, the following: clinical, endocrinological, immunological, psychological, and ophthalmological factors. We found mean serum magnesium deficiency and type A behavior to be significantly more common in keratoconic patients than in a control group of patients. In addition changes in gluco-mineral corticoids, changes in glucose metabolism, edema of allergic origin, and genetic factors may collaborate in the development of keratoconus. All these factors could affect the osmotic mechanism of the cornea: Na-K and/or Ca ATPase, the collagen structure by alteration of the adenylate cyclase activity, and other mechanisms. This study suggests an association between keratoconus, magnesium depletion, and type A behavior, which together constitute a new clinical syndrome and confirm an association between keratoconus and atopy.