Familial band--shaped keratopathy and spheroidal degeneration. Clinical and electron microscopic study.

Presumptive primary band-shaped keratopathy was described in a 35-year-old man and his 62-year-old paternal uncle. Lamellar keratoplasty was performed in one eye in each of these patients. The light and electron microscopic studies were carried out on both corneal specimens. Histologic stains for calcium were negative. Noncalcific band-shaped keratopathy was confirmed by electron microscopic findings too. Electron-dense globular deposits were found in the region of Bowman's membrane and superficial stroma. These may be characterized as a secondary form of spheroidal degeneration.