What Causes Calcium Deposits in the Eye?

Calcium deposits can form in three different places in the eye--the cornea, conjunctiva and retina. The cornea is the clear tissue on your eyeball that covers your iris and pupil. The conjunctiva is the clear membrane that surrounds the white part of your eyeball and the inside of your eyelids. The retina is the nerve tissue in the back of your eyeball that detects light as your eye collects it.

Cornea

The cornea will exhibit calcium deposits in a condition known as band keratopathy. According to Wills Eye Hospital, this type of calcium deposit is the result of hypercalcemia, gout or renal failure. Each of these three conditions results in excess calcium levels in the body. The excess calcium is deposited in the cornea as it is transported there in the blood vessels. Chronic inflammation of the eyeball and exposure to toxic vapors such as mercury can also cause band keratopathy to develop. The treatment of band keratopathy involves the treatment of the underlying condition. It can also involve the instillation of artificial tear drops. In the most severe cases, a chelation agent is used. Chelation agents are applied to an area of the body to remove minerals such as calcium from the affected tissue.

Conjunctiva

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The conjunctiva will exhibit calcium deposits in the form of concretions. Concretion.org explains that a concretion is a small, hard, yellow or white deposit. This deposit forms in the conjunctiva that lines the inside of your eyelids. Concretion.org states that concretions are most common if you have a condition that causes your eyes to be inflamed for a long period of time. The cells in your conjunctiva begin to degenerate. As this happens, other materials fill the space in what is known as a cyst. As the cyst hardens, it forms a small piece of calcium. The treatment of large concretions is to have your optometrist of ophthalmologist remove them. This requires only a topical anesthetic.

Retina

The retina will exhibit calcium deposits in the form of calcific plaques in the retinal arteries 3. These plaques are visible to your optometrist or ophthalmologist as they view the inside of your eyeball. Wills Eye Hospital explains that these calcific plaques break off of a damaged heart valve 3. The plaque is then transported through your arteries until it reaches an artery that is too small for it to pass through. It becomes lodged in the wall of that artery. The calcific plaque can become lodged in a small artery anywhere in the body. These plaques are most readily visible in the retina because the small arteries can be viewed during a routine eye examination. They can cause the artery to become clogged. If the affected artery is large enough, it can cause vision loss. The treatment for a calcific plaque depends on its size and location. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will direct you toward the appropriate treatment depending on your unique needs.