Background: Pterygium can interfere with vision by causing corneal astigmatism or by directly encroaching on the visual axis. Pterygium excision surgery, which employs multiple approaches, can lessen corneal astigmatism.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate astigmatism of the cornea and to calculate intraocular lens (IOL) power before and after pterygium surgery in patient with coexistent cataract and primary pterygium.
Patients and methods: This study was a clinical trial which carried out on 20 patients of both gender. All patients had cataract and primary pterygium and undergo pterygium excision operation. All patients undergo preoperative and postoperative IOL power calculation by IOL master 500 and assessed stigmatism of the cornea by the Pentacam HR.
Results: In our study, we found that there was no statistically significant difference in K1 in pre and post operative assessment. Also our study illustrated that there was highly statistically significant difference in K2 in pre and post-operative assessment. As regarding IOL power calculation, there was highly statistically significant difference between pre and post-operative assessment by IOL master.
Conclusion: Pterygium excision using the conjunctival autografting technique is associated with postoperative increased keratometric readings and decreased corneal astigmatism. Stable corneal and refractive parameters are achieved one month postoperatively. Consequently, intraocular lens power calculation and cataract surgery should be postponed for at least one month post pterygium surgery in patients suffering from pterygium and cataract.