Fritz Rigendinger1, Daniel M Aebersold2, Zeljka Cvejic3, Bojan Pajic1,3,4,5. 1. Eye Clinic Orasis, Swiss Eye Research Foundation, 5734 Reinach AG, Switzerland. 2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. 3. Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 4, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. 4. Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland. 5. Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy, University of Defense, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is known that pterygia above a certain size cause astigmatism and other aberrations of the human cornea and thus impair the quality of vision. Exclusive Sr-/Ytt-90 beta irradiation is a highly effective treatment for primary pterygia. The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the extent to which higher order corneal aberrations are affected by this treatment. METHODS: Evaluation of corneal topographies and wavefront aberration data of 20 primary pterygia patients generated before and at different points in time in the first year after irradiation. Additionally, the size of the pterygium was measured. RESULTS: The study showed a significant increase in coma and triple leaf aberrations in pterygia with a horizontal length of 2 mm and more. It was also found that a pterygium size greater than 2 mm significantly induces astigmatism. Both phenomena reduce visual quality. In none of the patients could a pterygium recurrence be detected after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: If the pterygium size is less than 2 mm, early exclusive Sr/Ytt-90 beta irradiation can be recommended. If the size is more than 2 mm, a pterygium excision 6 months after beta irradiation can be discussed.
BACKGROUND: It is known that pterygia above a certain size cause astigmatism and other aberrations of the human cornea and thus impair the quality of vision. Exclusive Sr-/Ytt-90 beta irradiation is a highly effective treatment for primary pterygia. The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the extent to which higher order corneal aberrations are affected by this treatment. METHODS: Evaluation of corneal topographies and wavefront aberration data of 20 primary pterygia patients generated before and at different points in time in the first year after irradiation. Additionally, the size of the pterygium was measured. RESULTS: The study showed a significant increase in coma and triple leaf aberrations in pterygia with a horizontal length of 2 mm and more. It was also found that a pterygium size greater than 2 mm significantly induces astigmatism. Both phenomena reduce visual quality. In none of the patients could a pterygium recurrence be detected after irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: If the pterygium size is less than 2 mm, early exclusive Sr/Ytt-90 beta irradiation can be recommended. If the size is more than 2 mm, a pterygium excision 6 months after beta irradiation can be discussed.
Authors: Iraklis Vastardis; Bojan Pajic; Richard H Greiner; Brigitte Pajic-Eggspuehler; Daniel M Aebersold Journal: Strahlenther Onkol Date: 2009-12 Impact factor: 3.621