Current issues of differential diagnosis and treatment of congenital corneal opacities in children

Purpose. To analyze the literature on the topic of congenital corneal opacities, their diagnosis, differential diagnosis, as well as the choice of optimal treatment tactics. Congenital corneal opacities (CCO), when effective treatment is delayed, usually lead to permanent loss of visual function. This diagnosis requires urgent measures. On the other hand, the rarity of neonatal corneal pathology and difficulties associated with evaluation of newborns yield the situation when more or less defined clinical practice patterns in such cases remain unclear for most pediatric ophthalmologists. Based on our own experience and the literature data, we describe the main issues of differential diagnosis and management of CCO in newborns. A broad range of developmental anomalies, congenital hereditary corneal dystrophies and metabolic diseases as the main causes of CCO are reviewed. In addition to this diagnostic paradigm, the prognosis in every particular pathology as well as treatment recommendations are given. Conclusion. Based on the presented review, the prognosis and therapeutic recommendations for a particular congenital pathology of the cornea are given.