A histologic study of calcific and noncalcific band keratopathies

One hundred five cases previously diagnosed as band keratopathy were reexamined. We found that band keratopathy was calcific noncalcific, or mixture of both. The noncalcific band was identified as elastotic degeneration of collagen, known clinically by various alternate terms. Cases of so-called reduplication of Bowman's membrane were reexamined, and many demonstrated production of a thick basement membrane of the corneal epithelium, with or without massive calcification. Identification of calcific-band keratopathy was made by transmission electron microscopy even when the tissue had been previously decalcified.