To better serve New Zealand’s high proportion of keratoconus sufferers, a team of Auckland University researchers has initiated a study to evaluate the complexities of managing keratoconus patients and gain more understanding of diagnostic and referral patterns.

The study is the first investigation of the management of keratoconus at the primary eyecare level in Aotearoa, said cornea specialist and Auckland University senior lecturer Dr Mo Ziaei. “This valuable information can be used to optimise patient referral and secondary care pathways, allow for better training and education of optometry students and improve co‐management opportunities.”

The study will be led by Dr Lize Angelo, a junior research fellow in the University’s Department of Ophthalmology, as part of her PhD to assess health disparities and inequities among keratoconus patients in Aotearoa. It will be supervised by Drs Ziaei, Aki Gokul and Simone Freundlich and department head Professor Charles McGhee.

Dr Angelo

To aid them, the team is asking eyecare professionals from across the country to complete a short (5-15 minute) anonymous survey.

“This study will give us valuable insight into the primary care of keratoconus and how we are finding and diagnosing this disease,” said Dr Ziaei. “It will also provide us with insight into some of the barriers regarding keratoconus diagnosis, surveillance and management. The survey is live and I hope you will be able to help support this project and Lize’s PhD looking into influential and important ocular health matters.”

To complete the survey, please visit, https://redcap.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/surveys/?s=MR9YC8PP8X or scan the QR code below.