title: Band keratopathy: a modified treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The surgical treatment of band keratopathy usually consists of abrasion of the corneal epithelium followed by removal of the subepithelial calcium deposits by means of an ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution. In order to reduce the discomfort and pain that occur after corneal abrasion, the authors developed a modified technique that avoids the abrasion of the epithelium.
  
  
  METHODS
  In three patients (four eyes) with long-standing band keratopathy, the epithelium was detached with a 19% ethanol solution and placed gently toward the limbus, a method also used in laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK). After clearing the anterior stroma with EDTA solution, the epithelial flap is unrolled and a bandage contact lens applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative pain was greatly reduced and after removal of the contact lens no pain was reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This modified epithelium-sparing treatment of band keratopathy shows good results while reducing postoperative pain.
authors.affiliation: Eye Centre Recklinghausen, Erbruch 34-46, 45657 Recklinghausen, Germany. Diego.de.Ortueta@augenzentrum.org
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Ortueta
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schreyger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baatz
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D004492:Edetic Acid; D002118:Calcium