Imaging of pediatric corneal diseases

Ocular imaging technologies continue to evolve and play increasingly important roles in both the diagnosis and management of corneal pathology. In addition to improved documentation of exam findings using increasingly better resolution photographs, newer modalities, including specular and confocal microscopy, can facilitate diagnosis by imaging single cell layers within the cornea. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) can image structures in the cornea and anterior segment which may not otherwise be visible. This is particularly useful in patients with opaque corneas. The ability to topographically map the cornea allows for more accurate pre- and post-operative planning, especially in patients with corneal ectasia. As these technologies develop, their use in specific patient populations, such as children, must be optimized. In this report, we provide an updated analysis of selected imaging modalities used in the diagnosis and management of pediatric corneal pathology.