Calcific band keratopathy associated with the use of topical steroid-phosphate preparations
M. J. Taravella, R. D. Stulting, T. H. Mader, R. W. Weisenthal, S. L. Forstot and L. D. Underwood
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver.
OBJECTIVE: To report a possible adverse effect of topical steroid-phosphate
preparations and to identify factors that may contribute to the development
of this effect. DESIGN: The medical records of five patients who developed
calcium deposition in the cornea were reviewed and analyzed for possible
contributing factors. PATIENTS: Five cases of calcium deposition in the
cornea associated with the use of topical steroid-phosphate preparations
are described. Scrapings from the cornea and/or specimens obtained at
keratoplasty were available in all cases. These cases had the following
characteristics in common: use of steroid-phosphate preparations (n = 5);
multiple topical drops (n = 5); penetrating keratoplasty (n = 3); presence
of epithelial defects (n = 4); history of herpetic stromal keratitis (n =
3) [corrected]; and history of iritis (n = 3). A hypothesis explaining
calcium deposition in association with steroid-phosphate preparations is
presented. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend withdrawal of steroid-phosphate
preparations in patients who develop band keratopathy.
