

21 The process can take a few minutes to an hour, depending on the density of the calcium. The surgery involves removing the epithelium over the deposits, applying 0.05 mol/L disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid to chelate the calcium and dissolve it, and using a brush or surgical blade to remove remaining calcium. 20 If band keratopathy causes persistent pain or decreased vision, corneal surgery is indicated. The rate of development and progression of disease is variable. Patients can have symptoms of pain, foreign body sensation, recurrent corneal erosions, and decreased vision. The deposits begin as a gray haze and can become densely white with a rough, pebbly surface. As the deposits move centrally, the band has clear void circles where Bowman's layer is traversed by nerve endings. 19 The most severely affected areas are the middle and inferior thirds of the cornea, which are the areas of greatest exposure to the atmosphere.Ĭorneal calcium deposits as a horizontal band and begins near the corneal periphery ( Fig.

Deposition of calcium may result from the precipitate tears leave when they evaporate or because the exposed cornea is at a lower pH than other areas. The mechanism of calcium deposition in the cornea is unknown but occurs primarily in the exposed area of the cornea. Histologically, calcium is deposited as the hydroxyapatite salt in the epithelial basement membrane, basal epithelium, Bowman's layer, 19 and anterior stroma. Band keratopathy may occur after localized corneal damage from intraocular silicone oil and phosphate forms of corticosteroids. 16 In children, band keratopathy may be the presenting sign of chronic uveitis as a result of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
#Pellucid corneal degeneration Activator#
Researchers have described a toxic form resulting from mercurial preservatives in pilocarpine and an acute form after intracameral tissue plasminogen activator injection. Band keratopathy can present secondarily with elevated serum calcium or phosphate in systemic diseases, including sarcoidosis, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicity, metastatic neoplasm to bone, and chronic renal failure with secondary hyperparathyroidism. It most commonly occurs secondary to chronic corneal diseases, particularly uveitis, advanced glaucoma, keratitis, or trauma primary idiopathic forms rarely occur. Myron Yanoff MD, in Ophthalmology, 2019 Calcific Band Keratopathyīand keratopathy is a common corneal degeneration that can occur at any age, presenting in the central or peripheral cornea.
