Surgical treatment options for congenital/infantile corneal opacities and anterior segment dysgenesis

Background: Due to the risk of amblyopia congenital and infantile corneal opacities have a narrow therapeutic window, frequently with a complex surgical treatment. Objective: The present study gives an overview of the current treatment options for congenital and infantile corneal opacities. Methods: The results of a literature search are presented and own clinical data and examples are shown. Results: In children ophthalmologic operations are surgicallymore demanding and the prognosis is generally worse. Surgical options include phototherapeutic keratectomy, crosslinking, corneal sutures, sectoral iridectomy, block excision and lamellar, penetrating, and auto-keratoplasty. An equally important part of the treatment is conservative treatment, when necessary with bandage lenses, glasses, contact lenses and occlusion. Discussion: Whenever possible treatment of congenital and infantile corneal opacities should be limited to the affected layers/areas. Nevertheless, children and parents have to be prepared formany examinations, sometimes with the patient under anesthesia and should be well-informed about the prognosis and the risks.