Jeremy Tan1,2, Ute Vollmer-Conna3, Lien Tat4, Minas Coroneo3,5,4. 1. Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, tckjeremy@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, tckjeremy@hotmail.com. 3. Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 4. Ophthalmic Surgeons, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 5. Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to investigate the degree of inflammation and dry-eye disease (DED) in recurrent pterygium. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with a history of pterygium excision were divided into 3 groups - Group 1: no recurrence after the first excision; Group 2: recurrence after the first excision; Group 3: no recurrence after the second excision. Dry-eye symptoms and tear production were elicited for each patient. RESULTS: A high prevalence of DED was observed in patients with primary and recurrent pterygium based on self-reported dry-eye symptoms (63.6%) and an abnormal Schirmer test result (78.1%). There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.025) in the Schirmer test values between patients with (5.6 mm) and without (11.4 mm) recurrence after surgery for primary pterygium. Patients who were cured after a second excision had an improved Schirmer test value (9.5 mm), although this was not significant. CONCLUSION: Pterygium recurrence is associated with a greater severity of dry eye, possibly by perpetuating ocular surface inflammation in the postoperative period.
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to investigate the degree of inflammation and dry-eye disease (DED) in recurrent pterygium. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with a history of pterygium excision were divided into 3 groups - Group 1: no recurrence after the first excision; Group 2: recurrence after the first excision; Group 3: no recurrence after the second excision. Dry-eye symptoms and tear production were elicited for each patient. RESULTS: A high prevalence of DED was observed in patients with primary and recurrent pterygium based on self-reported dry-eye symptoms (63.6%) and an abnormal Schirmer test result (78.1%). There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.025) in the Schirmer test values between patients with (5.6 mm) and without (11.4 mm) recurrence after surgery for primary pterygium. Patients who were cured after a second excision had an improved Schirmer test value (9.5 mm), although this was not significant. CONCLUSION: Pterygium recurrence is associated with a greater severity of dry eye, possibly by perpetuating ocular surface inflammation in the postoperative period.