RECURRENT BAND KERATOPATHY IN A 70-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH HISTORY OF PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY AND CATARACT SURGERY

Band keratopathy is a degenerative condition characterized by calcium deposition in the Bowman’s
layer of the cornea, leading to vision impairment, ocular discomfort, and in some cases, recurrent
symptoms despite treatment. This report presents a case of recurrent band keratopathy in a 70-
year-old woman, highlighting the management steps over a 12-year period and the recurrence
necessitating manual keratectomy to make it easier, to make it possible cataract surgery. 

Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Silesia, Prof. K. Gibiński University Clinical Center

70-year-old woman with a history of band keratopathy in her left eye presented to our clinic with
recurrent vision blurring and ocular discomfort. Twelve years prior, she had undergone
phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) to treat the band keratopathy in her left eye. Following PTK,
she experienced a period of significant visual improvement (UCVA LE 0.7) and symptom relief.

On examination, her left eye showed signs of recurrent band keratopathy, with calcium deposition
again apparent in the central corneal region, affecting her visual acuity (hand movements) and
causing discomfort, IOP was high >30 mm Hg. Given the persistence of symptoms and the visual
disturbance, she was scheduled for manual keratectomy to make possible anterior and posterior
segment examination. This procedure was performed successfully, with calcium deposits carefully
removed to provide a smooth corneal surface and improve transparency.

For patients with recurrent band keratopathy, a combination of manual keratectomy and other
supportive surgical interventions, such as cataract surgery, may be necessary to restore and
maintain visual function and stabilized IOP. Regular monitoring is essential to address any
recurrence promptly and to optimize visual outcomes over time.