Overall, GWAS and candidate studies in diverse populations (European, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc.)have converged on a set of genes related to ECM structure (collagens COL5A1, COL4A4), ECM remodeling enzymes (LOX), transcription factors (FOXO1, ZNF469, VSX1), and growth factors/signaling molecules (HGF, WNT10A) as important players in KC risk. Here, COL5A1 is linked to keratoconus.