A corneal topography map showing keratoconus would most likely display which pattern?

The presence of keratoconus in a corneal topography map is characterized by an irregular pattern of steepening in the cornea. When someone has keratoconus, the cornea often protrudes abnormally, leading to a cone-like shape. As a result, the topography map reveals a localized area of steepening that is typically greater than the surrounding corneal curvature. This irregular shape means that the steepening does not follow a symmetrical pattern or a predictable configuration, which makes option C the correct choice.

In contrast to this, other patterns such as a central plateau with symmetrical steepening or a series of symmetrical concentric circles would indicate normal or different types of corneal conditions but not keratoconus. A bow-tie shaped pattern, which is often associated with astigmatism, signifies a more regular shape of the cornea rather than the irregular steepening characteristic of keratoconus. Thus, option C stands out as the most appropriate answer, as it directly reflects the diagnostic features of keratoconus demonstrated in a corneal topography map.