A recent study suggests the presence of corneal features similar to those found in patients with keratoconus could be present in just over 70% of patients with Down syndrome (DS).

A team of researchers from Spain and Egypt conducted a study involving 112 patients with DS and 105 healthy control subjects. They using a Placido disc/Scheimpflug camera topographer to evaluate and compare participants’ visual, refractive and anterior and posterior corneal characteristics.

The researchers found that patients with DS have “steeper and thinner corneas and more corneal aberrations than those without genetic alterations and normal corneas.”

They conclude that more detailed corneal examinations should be completed in patients with DS to detect keratoconus earlier, implement treatment and avoid further visual impairments.