Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Keratoconus in pediatric patients

Global Pediatric Ophthalmology Congress

June 06-07, 2016 London, UK

Enrique Suarez

King Khaled Eye Specialists Hospital, KSA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Ophthalmol

Abstract :

The major concerns in pediatric keratoconus comprise of the accelerated progression of the disease in the pediatric age group and management of co-morbidities such as allergic or vernal kerato-conjuntivitis. In Saudi Arabia, adverse environmental conditions, hereditary factors and consanguinity contribute frequently to visual impairment in pediatric patients due to Corneal Ectasia. The traditional treatment alternatives of visual rehabilitation such as spectacles, contacts lenses and keratoplasty (lamellar or penetrating) are more difficult to achieve in pediatric cases. Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) has been successfully utilized for more than a decade in adult patients halting or slowing the progression of the disease and more recently in pediatric keratoconus. It seems quite reasonable to treat not only eyes that demonstrate rapidly progressive keratoconus with corneal collagen crosslinking, but also those pediatric or adolescent eyes without documented progression of keratoconus before the disease potentially worsens. If longer-term follow-up demonstrates continued efficacy and more important, continued safety of this procedure, treating eyes with keratoconus before evidence of definite progression might become the standard of care.

Biography :

Enrique Suarez was graduated as Medical Doctor from Universidad de Los Andes. He has obtained Internship and Ophthalmology Residency at Military Hospital (Caracas, Venezuela) and Cornea, External Diseases and Anterior Segment Fellowship with Dr. Herbert Kaufman at Louisiana State University, USA. He is the Head of Cornea Division at Military Hospital, Director of Cataract and Refractive Surgery & Clinic Ophthalmology Service at Centro Medico Docente La Trinidad Private Foundation (Caracas, Venezuela) for 20 years. Currently, he is the Senior Academic Consultant at King Khaled Eye Specialists Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). He has over 40 publications to his credit and presented 450 lectures in international meetings. He also serves as the Board of Directors of International Ophthalmological Societies and Editorial Board Member of Ophthalmological Journals.

Email: ensuca@gmail.com