Band Keratopathy
 

Band keratopathy is a common examination case and very often the patient has another underlying condition. There is a band of suberpithlial whitish depositions in the interpalpebral zone. It is separated from the limbus by a  clear zone. There are multiple round clear holes (due to nerve channels). In the examination: look for any coexisting corneal lesion such as intersitital keratitis if the patient is young (especially female) look for pseudophakia and aqueous haze and signs of arthritis a unilateral band keratopathy may be caused by a phthisical eye if the centre of the band is clear with well-defined edges, the calcium may have been removed with EDTA or  excimer laser. .

Questions:

1. What are the causes of band keratopathy?

Answer
The main condition are ocular disease and systemic hypercalcaemia.

Ocular diseases:

chronic ocular disease (uisually inflammatory) such as juvenile chronic arthritis, phthisis bulbi, interstitial keratitis.
silicone oil keratopathy

Hypercalcaemia caused by hyperparathryodism, vitamin D toxicity, sarcoidosis etc.

Chornic renal failure

Idiopathic

2. What are the indications for removing band keratopathy?

Answer
Cosmesis
Visual disturbance
Pain from the breakdown of epithelium

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Band keratopathy treated with excimer laser Return to the top