In 2014, scientists discovered patients with mitral valve prolapse had a significantly higher rate of keratoconus. Mitral valve prolapse and keratoconus were considered “idiopathic” non-inflammatory conditions. The co-morbid finding of mitral-valve prolapse and corneal thinning disease supports a common infectious cause. Chlamydia is known to damage the heart and the mitral valve, has been found in resected mitral valves, and has been “associated” with many eye diseases.

Chronic chlamydia infection is one cause of corneal thinning diseases, although not the only potential cause.

Akcay E, et al. 2014. Impaired Corneal Biomechanical Properties and the Prevalence of Keratoconus in Mitral Valve Prolapse. Journal of Ophthalmology. Vol 2014. Article ID 402193. Doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/402193.