MARCH 2021 | EYEWORLD | 85
C
Contact
Beckman:
kenbeckman22@aol.com
Trattler: wtrattler@gmail.com
for scissoring on retinoscopy, along with the slit
lamp exam findings. He likes to image both the
front and back of the cornea to have as much
information as possible using the Pentacam
(Oculus), which he said has excellent diagnostic
images to aid in identifying cones and monitor-
ing for progression.
If a patient is progressing and at risk for
vision loss, even very young patients can be
treated, he stressed. "While the label for the
FDA approved Avedro device [Glaukos] indi-
cates patients 14 and older, often patients even
younger need to be treated," he said. "If the
patient is mature enough to hold still for the
treatment, they may be able to undergo it as
young as 10 or even younger. I have not treated
anyone under 12, but I would if needed."
diagnosis. Our current treatment, crosslinking,
works best when we catch patients in an early
stage." He added that the current treatment
protocol often waits until some vision is lost,
which is missing some of the maximum benefit.
However, he said that even late-stage cones can
benefit from treatment.
Dr. Beckman usually recommends that
grade school children undergo regular vision
screenings, and if decreased vision is detected,
further evaluation is warranted.
Dr. Beckman said that screening starts
with visual acuity and refraction. "Patients
with decreased vision, progressive myopia, or
significant astigmatism are at greater risk and
may merit evaluation with topography/tomog-
raphy." Other tests that can help, particularly if
a topographer is not available, can be looking
Difference map showing significant central flattening
Source (all): Ken Beckman, MD
