<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE root>
<article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/" article-type="review-article" dtd-version="1.2" xml:lang="en"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">Russian Pediatric Ophthalmology</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title xml:lang="en">Russian Pediatric Ophthalmology</journal-title><trans-title-group xml:lang="ru"><trans-title>Российская педиатрическая офтальмология</trans-title></trans-title-group></journal-title-group><issn publication-format="print">1993-1859</issn><issn publication-format="electronic">2412-432X</issn><publisher><publisher-name xml:lang="en">Eco-Vector</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">695941</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.17816/rpoj695941</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="edn">WJBGUP</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="toc-heading" xml:lang="en"><subject>Reviews</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="toc-heading" xml:lang="ru"><subject>Научные обзоры</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="article-type"><subject>Review Article</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title xml:lang="en">Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus in children: a review</article-title><trans-title-group xml:lang="ru"><trans-title>Современные подходы к диагностике и лечению кератоконуса у детей: обзор</trans-title></trans-title-group></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4981-0755</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">7984-9373</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Markova</surname><given-names>Elena Yu.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Маркова</surname><given-names>Елена Юрьевна</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine)</p></bio><bio xml:lang="ru"><p>д-р мед. наук</p></bio><email>markova_ej@mail.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"/></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0368-296X</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">9494-9696</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Gavrilova</surname><given-names>Natalia A.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Гаврилова</surname><given-names>Наталья Александровна</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor</p></bio><bio xml:lang="ru"><p>д-р мед. наук, профессор</p></bio><email>n_gavrilova@mail.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2609-1726</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">4228-4403</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Postolnik</surname><given-names>Anna A.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Постольник</surname><given-names>Анна Алексеевна</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD</p></bio><email>golubitskikh.anna@mail.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"/></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8934-2983</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Didakunan</surname><given-names>Natevan F.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Дидакунан</surname><given-names>Натеван Фархад кызы</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD</p></bio><email>natadida2000@gmail.com</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib></contrib-group><aff-alternatives id="aff1"><aff><institution xml:lang="en">Russian University of Medicine</institution></aff><aff><institution xml:lang="ru">Российский университет медицины</institution></aff></aff-alternatives><aff-alternatives id="aff2"><aff><institution xml:lang="en">Eye Center East-Sight Recovery</institution></aff><aff><institution xml:lang="ru">Глазной центр Восток-Прозрение</institution></aff></aff-alternatives><pub-date date-type="pub" iso-8601-date="2026-05-04" publication-format="electronic"><day>04</day><month>05</month><year>2026</year></pub-date><volume>21</volume><issue>1</issue><issue-title xml:lang="en"/><issue-title xml:lang="ru"/><fpage>53</fpage><lpage>60</lpage><history><date date-type="received" iso-8601-date="2025-11-07"><day>07</day><month>11</month><year>2025</year></date><date date-type="accepted" iso-8601-date="2025-12-08"><day>08</day><month>12</month><year>2025</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement xml:lang="en">Copyright ©; 2026, Eco-Vector</copyright-statement><copyright-statement xml:lang="ru">Copyright ©; 2026, Эко-Вектор</copyright-statement><copyright-year>2026</copyright-year><copyright-holder xml:lang="en">Eco-Vector</copyright-holder><copyright-holder xml:lang="ru">Эко-Вектор</copyright-holder><ali:free_to_read xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/" start_date="2029-05-04"/><license><ali:license_ref xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/">https://eco-vector.com/for_authors.php#07</ali:license_ref></license></permissions><self-uri xlink:href="https://ruspoj.com/1993-1859/article/view/695941">https://ruspoj.com/1993-1859/article/view/695941</self-uri><abstract xml:lang="en"><p>Keratoconus is a progressive degenerative corneal condition, characterized by disrupted and disorganized structure of the collagen matrix, which leads to corneal thinning and ectasia. The combined impact of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors underlie the pathogenesis. The peak manifestation of the condition is usually observed in adolescence and at a young age (15–30 years). However, there are cases of earlier onset, including at a preschool age (the authors had a case in a 5-year-old child), which highlights the need for early detection and timely treatment to prevent irreversible vision loss. Given specific features of children, early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical for preventing severe complications and subsequent need for keratoplasty.</p> <p>The article reviews current data on the clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for pediatric keratoconus, with a focus on corneal cross-linking as the most effective way to stabilize the condition. The article also discusses the standard Dresden protocol and its modifications, including transepithelial, partial, and accelerated cross-linking, and methods used in case of the thinned cornea.</p></abstract><trans-abstract xml:lang="ru"><p>Кератоконус представляет прогрессирующее дегенеративное заболевание роговицы, характеризующееся нарушением структуры и пространственной организации коллагенового матрикса, что приводит к истончению роговичной ткани и её эктазии. В основе патогенеза лежит сочетанное влияние генетических, гормональных и внешних факторов среды. Пик манифестации заболевания обычно наблюдают в подростковом и молодом возрасте (15–30 лет). Однако встречают случаи более раннего дебюта, в том числе в дошкольном возрасте (в нашей практике диагностирован случай заболевания у ребёнка 5 лет), что подчёркивает необходимость раннего выявления и своевременного лечения для предупреждения необратимой утраты зрения. Учитывая особенности детского возраста, ранняя диагностика и своевременное начало лечения имеют ключевое значение для предотвращения тяжёлых осложнений и последующей необходимости кератопластики.</p> <p>В настоящей работе представлен обзор современных данных о клинических особенностях, диагностических подходах и методах лечения детского кератоконуса с акцентом на корнеальный кросслинкинг как наиболее эффективный способ стабилизации заболевания. Рассмотрены стандартный дрезденский протокол и его модификации, включая трансэпителиальный, частичный и ускоренный кросслинкинг, а также методы, применяемые при истончённой роговице.</p></trans-abstract><kwd-group xml:lang="en"><kwd>cross-linking</kwd><kwd>keratoconus</kwd><kwd>Dresden protocol</kwd><kwd>corneal thickness</kwd><kwd>accelerated technique</kwd><kwd>review</kwd></kwd-group><kwd-group xml:lang="ru"><kwd>кросслинкинг</kwd><kwd>кератоконус</kwd><kwd>дрезденский протокол</kwd><kwd>толщина роговицы</kwd><kwd>ускоренная методика</kwd><kwd>обзор</kwd></kwd-group><funding-group/></article-meta></front><body></body><back><ref-list><ref id="B1"><label>1.</label><mixed-citation>Бобкова Д.О. Кератоконус: Современные диагностические аспекты и вопросы классификации // Тихоокеанский медицинский журнал. 2022. № 3. С. 13–18. | Bobkova DO. Keratoconus: current aspects of diagnosis and classification. Pacific Medical Journal. 2022;(3):13–18. doi: 10.34215/1609-1175-2022-3-13-18 EDN: RSVFXK</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B2"><label>2.</label><mixed-citation>Shah ZA, Purohit DM, Danayak PM, et al. Keratoconus presentation with respect to age, gender, and severity in Western India. Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research. 2024;12(2):96–100. doi: 10.4103/jcor.jcor_144_23 EDN: EFLXGW</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B3"><label>3.</label><mixed-citation>Davidson AE, Hayes S, Hardcastle AJ, Tuft SJ. The pathogenesis of keratoconus. Eye. 2013;28(2):189–195. doi: 10.1038/eye.2013.278</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B4"><label>4.</label><mixed-citation>Santodomingo-Rubido J, Carracedo G, Suzaki A, et al. Keratoconus: An updated review. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2022;45(3):101559. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101559 EDN: HKSTYD</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B5"><label>5.</label><mixed-citation>Аверич В.В. Современные методы диагностики и мониторинга кератоконуса // The EYE ГЛАЗ. 2023. T. 25, № 4. С. 322–330. | Averich VV. Modern methods of diagnosis and monitoring of keratoconus. The EYE GLAZ. 2023;25(4):322–330. doi: 10.33791/2222-4408-2023-4-322-330 EDN: QOHNAU</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B6"><label>6.</label><mixed-citation>Абельский Д.Е., Вашкевич Г.В., Заборовский И.Г., Столярова Л.А. Кератоконус у детей // Медицинские новости. 2021. № 12. C. 58–61. | Abelski DE, Vashkevich GV, Zabarouski IG, Stolyarova LA. Keratoconus in children. Meditsinckie novosti. 2021;(12):58–61. Available from: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/keratokonus-u-detey</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B7"><label>7.</label><mixed-citation>Dal A, Canleblebici M, Kutluksaman B, Erdağ M. Effects and safety of combined corneal collagen crosslinking and intrastromal corneal ring segment treatment in patients with keratoconus: a retrospective study. BMC Ophthalmology. 2024;24(1):473. doi: 10.1186/s12886-024-03745-7 EDN: RWJTYZ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B8"><label>8.</label><mixed-citation>Omar I. Simultaneous versus sequential corneal cross-linking and intracorneal ring segments implantation for keratoconus: two-year study. International Journal of Ophthalmology. 2025;18(5):840–845. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2025.05.08 EDN: YVJTZQ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B9"><label>9.</label><mixed-citation>Мамиконян В.Р., Осипян Г.А., Храйстин Х. Имплантация интрастромальных кольцевых сегментов роговицы при кератэктазиях (обзор литературы) // Медицина. 2017. № 2. С. 73–87. | Mamikonyan VR, Osipyan GA, Christein H. Implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments for corneal ectasia (review). Meditsina. 2017;(2):73–87. Available from: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/implantatsiya-intrastromalnyh-koltsevyh-segmentov-rogovitsy-pri-keratektaziyah-obzor-literatury</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B10"><label>10.</label><mixed-citation>Larco P, Larco P, Torres D, Piñero DP. Intracorneal ring segment implantation for the management of keratoconus in children. Vision. 2020;5(1):1. doi: 10.3390/vision5010001</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B11"><label>11.</label><mixed-citation>Olivo-Payne A, Abdala-Figuerola A, Hernandez-Bogantes E, et al. Optimal management of pediatric keratoconus: challenges and solutions. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2019;13:1183–1191. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S183347</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B12"><label>12.</label><mixed-citation>Abreu AC, Malheiro L, Coelho J, et al. Implantation of intracorneal ring segments in pediatric patients: long-term follow-up. International Medical Case Reports Journal. 2018;11:23–27. doi: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S151383</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B13"><label>13.</label><mixed-citation>Gupta Y, Saxena R, Jhanji V, et al. Management outcomes in pediatric keratoconus: Childhood keratoconus study. Journal of Ophthalmology. 2022;2022:1–8. doi: 10.1155/2022/4021288 EDN: KLXZVH</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B14"><label>14.</label><mixed-citation>Vandevenne MMS, Berendschot TTJM, Winkens B, et al. Efficacy of customized corneal crosslinking versus standard corneal crosslinking in patients with progressive keratoconus (C-CROSS study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Ophthalmology. 2023;23(1):224. doi: 10.1186/s12886-023-02976-4</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B15"><label>15.</label><mixed-citation>Маркова Е.Ю., Авакянц Г.В., Кечин Е.В. Кератоконус у детей, современные возможности лечения // Офтальмология. 2021. Т. 18, № 4. С. 840–844. | Markova EYu, Avakyants GV, Kechin EV. Keratoconus in children. мodern treatment options. Ophthalmology in Russia. 2021;18(4):840–844. doi: 10.18008/1816-5095-2021-4-840-844 EDN: GOMENB</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B16"><label>16.</label><mixed-citation>Gassel CJ, Röck D, Konrad EM, et al. Impact of keratoconus stage on outcome after corneal crosslinking. BMC Ophthalmology. 2022;22(1):207. doi: 10.1186/s12886-022-02425-8</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B17"><label>17.</label><mixed-citation>Son HS, Friedrich M, Jun AS, Soiberman US. Advancements and innovations in keratoconus management: a review of current practices. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(21):7491. doi: 10.3390/jcm14217491</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B18"><label>18.</label><mixed-citation>Wollensak G, Spoerl E, Seiler T. Riboflavin/ultraviolet-a–induced collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2003;135(5):620–627. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(02)02220-1</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B19"><label>19.</label><mixed-citation>Jhanji V, Sharma N, Vajpayee RB. Management of keratoconus: current scenario. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2010;95(8):1044–1050. doi: 10.1136/bjo.2010.185868</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B20"><label>20.</label><mixed-citation>Torricelli AAM, Ford MR, Singh V, et al. BAC-EDTA transepithelial riboflavin-UVA crosslinking has greater biomechanical stiffening effect than standard epithelium-off in rabbit corneas. Experimental Eye Research. 2014;125:114–117. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2014.06.001</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B21"><label>21.</label><mixed-citation>Al Fayez MF, Alfayez S, Alfayez Y. Transepithelial Versus Epithelium-Off Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking for Progressive Keratoconus. Cornea. 2015;34(Suppl 10):S53–S56. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000000547</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B22"><label>22.</label><mixed-citation>Kymionis GD, Diakonis VF, Coskunseven E, et al. Customized pachymetric guided epithelial debridement for corneal collagen cross linking. BMC Ophthalmology. 2009;9(1):10. doi: 10.1186/1471-2415-9-10</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B23"><label>23.</label><mixed-citation>Анисимов С.И., Анисимова С.Ю., Мистрюков А.С. Персонализированный (локальный) УФ-кросслинкинг в лечении кератоконуса и эктазий роговицы // Офтальмология. 2017. Т. 14, № 3. С. 195–199. | Anisimov SI, Anisimova SYu, Mistryukov AS. Personalized (local) uv-crosslinking as a treatment of keratoconus and corneal ectasia. Ophthalmology in Russia. 2017;14(3):195–199. doi: 10.18008/1816-5095-2017-3-195-199 EDN: ZHNPSL</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B24"><label>24.</label><mixed-citation>Avni-Zauberman N, Avni-Zauberman BS, Weissman A, et al. Accelerated versus standard corneal collagen crosslinking in the treatment of keratoconus: one-year results. Isr Med Assoc J. 2021;23(12):811–814. Available from: https://ima-files.s3.amazonaws.com/334497_55a688e1-e7e3-4dae-a503-95e9fd9347c4.pdf</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B25"><label>25.</label><mixed-citation>M Salman A, R Darwish T, H Haddad Y, et al. Accelerated versus standard corneal cross-linking for progressive keratoconus in Syria. Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research. 2021;16(3):338–348. doi: 10.18502/jovr.v16i3.9430</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B26"><label>26.</label><mixed-citation>Koç M, Uzel MM, Koban Y, et al. Accelerated corneal cross-linking with a hypoosmolar riboflavin solution in keratoconic thin corneas. Cornea. 2016;35(3):350–354. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000000701</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B27"><label>27.</label><mixed-citation>Маркова E.Ю., Гаврилова НА. Кросслинкинг роговицы при кератоконусе у детей, оценка эффективности в отдалённом периоде. Клинический случай с катамнезом 5 лет // Офтальмология. 2025. Т. 22, № 3. С. 646–653. | Markova EYu, Gavrilova NA. Corneal crosslinking in keratoconus in children, evaluation of efficiency in the remote period. Clinical case with 5-year follow-up. Ophthalmology in Russia. 2025;22(3):646–653. doi: 10.18008/1816-5095-2025-3-646-653 EDN: YDRTFT</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B28"><label>28.</label><mixed-citation>Liu Y, Shen D, Wang H, et al. Independent-effect comparison of five crosslinking procedures for progressive keratoconus based on keratometry and the ABCD grading system using generalized estimating equations (GEE). BMC Ophthalmology. 2023;23(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s12886-022-02744-w EDN: LFSPSW</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B29"><label>29.</label><mixed-citation>Kandel H, Abbondanza M, Gupta A, et al. Comparison of standard versus accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus: 5-year outcomes from the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry. Eye. 2023;38(1):95–102. doi: 10.1038/s41433-023-02641-6 EDN: CPZWTC</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B30"><label>30.</label><mixed-citation>Hamida Abdelkader SM, Fernández J, Rodríguez-Vallejo M, et al. Comparison of different methods of corneal collagen crosslinking: A systematic review. Seminars in Ophthalmology. 2021;36(3):67–74. doi: 10.1080/08820538.2021.1890784 EDN: GSNKEZ</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B31"><label>31.</label><mixed-citation>Nour MM, El-Agha MSH, Sherif AM, Shousha SM. Efficacy and safety of contact lens–assisted corneal crosslinking in the treatment of keratoconus with thin corneas. Eye &amp; Contact Lens: Science &amp; Clinical Practice. 2021;47(9):500–504. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000799 EDN: GKSERF</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B32"><label>32.</label><mixed-citation>Srivatsa S, Jacob S, Agarwal A. Contact lens assisted corneal cross linking in thin ectatic corneas – A review. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020;68(12):2773-2778. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_2138_20</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B33"><label>33.</label><mixed-citation>Matlov Kormas R, Abu Tailakh M, Chorny A, et al. Accelerated CXL Versus Accelerated Contact Lens–Assisted CXL for Progressive Keratoconus in Adults. Journal of Refractive Surgery. 2021;37(9):623–630. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20210609-02 EDN: UAEDED</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B34"><label>34.</label><mixed-citation>Sachdev MS, Gupta D, Sachdev G, Sachdev R. Tailored stromal expansion with a refractive lenticule for crosslinking the ultrathin cornea. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2015;41(5):918–923. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2015.04.007</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B35"><label>35.</label><mixed-citation>Unni P, Lee HJ. Systemic Associations with Keratoconus. Life. 2023;13(6):1363. doi: 10.3390/life13061363</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B36"><label>36.</label><mixed-citation>Oikarinen A, Oikarinen H, Tan EM, Uitto J. Modulation of collagen metabolism in cultured human skin fibroblasts by dexamethasone: correlation with glucocorticoid receptor density. Acta Derm Venereol. 1987;67(2):106–15. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2438873/</mixed-citation></ref><ref id="B37"><label>37.</label><mixed-citation>Тарутта Е.П. Федеральные клинические рекомендации «Диагностика и лечение близорукости у детей» // Российская педиатрическая офтальмология. 2014. Т. 9, №2. С. 49–62. | Tarutta EP. Federal Clinical Guidelines “Diagnosis and Treatment of Myopia in Children”. Russian Pediatric Ophthalmology. 2014;9(2):49–62. (In Russ.) EDN: SCYCOJ</mixed-citation></ref></ref-list></back></article>
