Screening for Keratoconus in Children with Down Syndrome

Dr. Casey Smith discusses guidelines on using corneal tomography to screen for keratoconus in children with Down syndrome. Screening is recommended not only because keratoconus is prevalent in this population, but because those with Down syndrome may be less likely to be myopic and to have lower rates of astigmatism at the time of keratoconus than those without Down syndrome. Corneal tomography screening can be given to children as young as aged 5 or 6 years, depending on their level of cooperation with the procedure. If the findings are consistent with keratoconus, crosslinking treatment can begin.

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