To evaluate the efficacy of stained amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for cosmetic repair of band keratopathy.

Eight eyes from 8 patients with band keratopathy without the possibility of visual improvement were treated with corneal tattooing and stained AMT. Calcific plaques were removed with EDTA and a blade prior to the tattooing. Tattooing by the injection of tissue marking dye into the corneal stroma was performed in corneal opacities. The remaining opacity, which could not be treated with corneal tattooing, was treated with black dye-stained AMT.

The most common cause of band keratopathy was trauma (50%) and the mean time to epithelial healing was 11.3 days. All patients showed satisfactory results with cosmetic staining. Recurring cases and significant complications were not observed during the mean follow-up period of 7.4 months.

Cosmetic repair by corneal tattooing and stained AMT is an effective treatment for band keratopathy and is not associated with any significant complications.