Band keratopathy in children previously treated with diode laser for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Diseases
• Pediatric Ophthalmology

Background:

• Band keratopathy is a corneal degeneration characterized by calcium hydroxyapatite deposition in Bowman's layer.
• Etiologies include chronic inflammation, systemic conditions, and rare genetic mutations (SLC4A4).
• Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between diode laser treatment for ROP and the development of late-onset band keratopathy.
• To identify risk factors and clinical characteristics of band keratopathy in this specific pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series analysis.
• Review of clinical records for 10 children (16 eyes) with a history of diode laser-treated ROP.
• Ophthalmic examination, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy and assessment of visual acuity.

Main Results:

• 10 children (16 eyes) developed late-onset band keratopathy after diode laser treatment for ROP.
• No other risk factors for band keratopathy were identified in these patients.
• The majority of cases were bilateral, with five eyes requiring intervention (EDTA chelation or phototherapeutic keratectomy) for visually significant central deposits.

Conclusions:

• Band keratopathy may be an underreported ophthalmic complication following diode laser treatment for ROP in children.
• Ophthalmologists should consider this association in pediatric patients presenting with band keratopathy, especially those with a history of ROP treatment.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology and long-term implications.