Another look at pterygium surgery with postoperative beta radiation.

Although complications associated with the use of beta radiation after pterygium surgery can occur, the author has found the use of beta radiation to be beneficial in preventing recurrences when used with pterygium surgery. An effective surgical regime of pterygium surgery is presented. A procedure made up of steps that tend to prevent revascularization of the operative site after pterygium surgery will decrease the recurrence rate. The use of strontium 90 and the mechanism of action of beta ray therapy in treatment of the pterygium is discussed. Few complications have occurred in > 200 surgically treated cases of pterygium with postoperative beta radiation administered with a strontium 90 applicator. No cases of radiation cataract have been observed.