2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
9 Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Chapter 14: Complications of Uveitis
Calcific Band Keratopathy
Patients with chronic uveitis, especially children, may develop calcium deposition along the epithelial basement membrane and the Bowman layer, a condition termed band keratopathy. This complication is most often seen in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)–associated anterior uveitis and undifferentiated chronic anterior uveitis. It may arise within months of onset of the uveitis. These calcium deposits are usually located in the interpalpebral zone. Calcific band keratopathy may become visually significant when it extends into the visual axis, or it may cause symptoms of foreign-body sensation; in such cases, removal may be required. The calcium deposits are located beneath the corneal epithelium; thus, their removal requires epithelial debridement followed by chelation with disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Recurrences may require repeat EDTA treatments. Photorefractive keratotomy can also be considered.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 9 - Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.