Why we are different
Our Vision
The Academy envisions a future in which every patient with keratoconus or corneal ectasia is diagnosed at the earliest stage of disease, receives timely access to effective treatment, and benefits from the highest standard of evidence-based care regardless of geographic location. Through education, research, innovation, and collaboration, IKA strives to reduce preventable vision loss and improve quality of life for patients throughout the world.
CORE Values
The International Keratoconus Academy is guided by the principles of scientific excellence, clinical innovation, integrity, collaboration, education, and patient-centered care. The Academy is committed to preserving vision through early diagnosis, evidence-based intervention, lifelong professional learning, and continued scientific discovery. By fostering collaboration among clinicians, researchers, educators, and industry leaders, IKA strives to advance the field while improving the lives of individuals affected by corneal ectatic disease.
HISTORY
Keratoconus Academy
Founded in 2013 by S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO, FSLS and Andrew S. Morgenstern, OD, FAAO, FNAP, the International Keratoconus Academy (IKA) is an international organization dedicated to advancing the science, education, research, and clinical management of keratoconus and other corneal ectatic disorders. Since its inception, the Academy has served as a global leader in promoting evidence-based clinical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovations that improve patient care.
Innovation and Future Technologies
The International Keratoconus Academy is committed to advancing the future of keratoconus care through the identification, evaluation, and implementation of innovative technologies that improve patient outcomes. The Academy actively supports the research, development, scientific validation, and responsible clinical integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), advanced corneal imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT), corneal biomechanics, genomics, molecular diagnostics, digital health, telemedicine, and next-generation corneal cross-linking and regenerative therapies. By fostering collaboration among clinicians, researchers, academic institutions, industry partners, and regulatory organizations, IKA seeks to accelerate scientific discovery and translate technological innovation into evidence-based clinical practice that enables earlier diagnosis, more accurate risk stratification, personalized treatment strategies, and improved long-term visual outcomes.
The Academy recognizes that artificial intelligence has the potential to fundamentally transform the diagnosis and management of keratoconus through earlier disease detection, automated image analysis, prediction of disease progression, treatment planning, and clinical decision support. IKA is committed to promoting the responsible development, rigorous scientific validation, and ethical implementation of AI-driven technologies that complement clinical expertise while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety, evidence-based medicine, transparency, and equity in healthcare delivery.
As new diagnostic platforms, therapeutic technologies, and computational tools continue to emerge, IKA will remain at the forefront of innovation by promoting multidisciplinary research, supporting collaborative clinical investigations, and facilitating the responsible translation of scientific advances into clinical practice. Through these efforts, the Academy seeks to shape the future of keratoconus care and ensure that patients worldwide benefit from the next generation of precision diagnostics, personalized therapies, and technological innovation.
Looking Forward
As diagnostic technologies, artificial intelligence, genetics, and therapeutic interventions continue to evolve, IKA remains committed to leading the next generation of advances in keratoconus care. Through continued education, research, advocacy, and international collaboration, the Academy seeks to further reduce preventable vision loss, expand access to sight-preserving therapies, and ultimately transform the future of corneal ectatic disease management.