| Theme | Ocular Disease in Hemodialysis Patients | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Corneal calcification in hemodialysis patients | |
| Publish Date | 1998/11 | |
| Author | Yoichi Takaku | Department of Ophthalmology, Sendai Shakai-Hoken Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | In long-term hemodialysis patients, ectopic calcification in the cornea and the conjunctiva, namely band keratopathy, may cause severe visual impairment and/or ocular discomfort. Band keratopathy is characterized by calcium deposition on the Bowmann's membrane and the superficial stromal tissue of the cornea. Band keratopathy is treated with the topical application of Na2-ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution or diluted HCl solution to dissolve calcium deposits. Recently excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy has been perfomed to treat superficial corneal opacities, including band keratopathy. The results have shown the efficacy of this laser treatment system but a significant hyper-metropic shift was observed after this treatment. |
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