Outcome of Excision of Primary Pterygium with Bare Sclera Technique: A Study of 80 Eyes in Malaysia

In this retrospective study of 166 patients with Pterygium, it was more predominant in males (66.9%) and in 31-40 years age group (69.9%). Irritation was the most common symptom (29.5%), while 13.8% were asymptomatic. Seventy four patients (44.6%) were armed forces personnel and the rest were civilian patients in this study A total of 248 pterygia (146 mild, 94 moderate and 8 advanced) were noted in this study. Standard procedure of excision of the growth with bare sclera technique was performed in 80 eyes wherever indicated (nasal or temporal in 66 eyes, both nasal and temporal in7 eyes). During the follow up period two complications (granuloma of conjunctiva and recurrence of pterygium) were noted. Small (5 mm size) granuloma occurred during the early postoperative period in 10 out of 80 eyes (12.5%), which healed completely with medical treatment without any need of surgical intervention. The recurrence of pterygium occurred in 19 out of 80 eyes (23.7%). The mean duration of recurrence was 5.5 months with a range varying from 2 to 12 months period. Recurrence of pterygium was observed to be higher in armed forces personnel (11 out of 19 eyes, (57.9%)) than in civilian patients (8 out of 19 eyes, 42.1%). There was early recurrence of pterygium in armed forces personnel (mean duration 5.1 months) than in civilian patients (mean duration 6.6 months). The modified technique of this with addition of intraoperative conjunctival auto graft to reduce the recurrence rate of pterygium is in progress.