Dear colleagues, dear friends,

For many years, the only therapeutic options available for keratoconus patients were eyeglasses, contact lenses and penetrating keratoplasty in the case of poor visual acuity and or poor tolerance to lenses.

Over the past 10 years, much new research has brought about dramatic changes in the way patients are cared for. These include corneal rings, collagen cross-linking, toric implants, laser photoablation, new contact lenses, deep lamellar keratoplasty and other techniques which are currently undergoing clinical evaluation.

Research on keratoconus has been brought to the forefront because of cases of post-laser corneal ectasia entailing serious visual and medico-legal implications. New technologies of imaging and biomechanical analysis of the anterior segment should enable early detection of signs allowing the diagnosis or the strong suspicion of infraclinical keratoconus.

Following the great success of the first Eurokeratoconus congress organized by the National Reference Center in Toulouse, it seems both useful and necessary to update all the information concerning these new technologies during the second Eurokeratoconus congress which will be held in Bordeaux 23-24 September 2011. The congress will be organized by JBH, with the help of Association Kératocône, the French patients' support group. A wide panel of French and international experts will provide ophthalmologists with wide-ranging information on the different fast evolving technologies and their uses. Poster sessions will allow active discussions; you are invited to present the results of your research. Abstracts must be submitted before 31 May 2011.

We will be delighted to welcome you to Bordeaux for Eurokeratoconus II, which will undoubtedly mark a significant step forward in the history of the disorder. It is not totally unrealistic to dream that one day Keratoconus will disappear as a health issue thanks to the early use of treatments that may halt its progression.

Pr Joseph COLIN - CRNK Bordeaux
Pr François MALECAZE - CRNK Toulouse