Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Band Keratopathy Symptoms and Treatment Print By Troy Bedinghaus, OD | Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Updated September 17, 2018 B2M Productions/Getty Images More in Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Glaucoma Cataracts Macular Degeneration Vision Loss Dry Eye Syndrome Contact Lenses Glasses Exams & Procedures Vision Improvement Surgery Eye Anatomy Kid's Eye Health View All Band keratopathy is a disorder that affects the cornea, the clear dome-like structure on the front part of the eye. Band keratopathy is characterized by a linear band of calcium that becomes deposited across the cornea. The deposition appears grainy and whitish-gray in color and looks a little like swiss-cheese. The calcium becomes deposited in the cornea between the area that is open and exposed between the eyelids when the eye is in an open position. Causes Band keratopathy is thought to be caused from conditions that increase the levels of calcium in the body such as kidney disease, excessive vitamin D, increased levels of certain thyroid hormones, sarcoidosis, lupus and Paget’s disease, a condition where there is an excessive breakdown of your bones. Tears contain small amounts of calcium. Normal evaporation of your tears causes the calcium concentration to rise. This occurs more in the part of the cornea that is open to the atmosphere. However, when the tears have a much higher than normal level of calcium, this occurs at a very high rate. Because of this abnormal composition of the tears, the acidity level of the tears changes causes the process to occur even quicker, resulting in band keratopathy. Certain medical conditions mentioned above that cause calcium to rise in the body can cause this to occur. However, calcium can also build up in the tears with eye conditions that cause chronic inflammation. Also, people with conditions that cause swelling of the cornea or decompensation of the corneal cells have been known to develop band keratopathy. Eye conditions that cause chronic inflammation can also cause band keratopathy to develop: Long-term or end-stage glaucomaChronic iritis (uveitis)Corneal dystrophiesPhthisis bulbi (a shrunken, non-functioning eye from severe disease or trauma)Juvenile arthritis One can also be exposed to certain outside foreign substances that can, over time, cause band keratopathy. Chronic exposure to mercury vapors has been known to cause band keratopathy. Also, preservatives that have a mercury type base have been found in some ophthalmic medication. Symptoms The calcium deposits can be fairly thick. Occasionally, they can break off and cause pain and scratches on the surface of the eye. Other symptoms are: Blurred or decreased visionSandy or gritty sensation in the eyeRednessIrritation Treatment Band keratopathy treatment consists of a chemical treatment called chelation. Chelation is a chemical process that uses EDTA (ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid) that chemically removes the calcium from the cornea. After chelation, often an excimer laser, similar to the one used for LASIK, is used to remove any remaining calcium and to smooth the surface out. After the procedure, either an amniotic membrane or a bandage soft contact lens is applied to the eye for a couple of weeks. Blood tests may need to be performed to determine the exact cause of the band keratopathy or it will reoccur. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you reach your 2018 goals. Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading