Purpose: To compare 3 surgical treatment options of pterygium: conjunctival transpositional flap, conjunctival autografting and bare sclera with minimal dose Beta irradiation.
Methods: This study was conducted on 45 eyes of 45 patients with primary pterygium.Snellen visual acuity measurement, grading pterygium, slit-lamp examination, autorefractometer, and anterior segment photography were performed preoperatively. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients (group 1) underwent conjunctival transpositional flap, fifteen eyes of 15 patients (group 2) underwent conjunctival autografting, and fifteen eyes of 15 patients (group 3) underwent bare sclera with Beta irradiation. The patients were followed up on the first day and the first week after surgery and then at months 1, 3 and 6.
Results: The mean age of patients was 44.95 ± 5.42 years. Male to female ratio was about 1.812 : 1. The preoperative mean refractive astigmatism (3.33 ± 1.01 D) was significantly reduced to 1.33 ± 0.53 D postoperatively which was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Preoperative mean visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.495 ± 0.117 which improved to 0.120 ± 0.092 postoperatively. This change is statistically significant (p<0.001). Minor complications like congestion, chemosis, subconjunctival haemorrhage and wound dehiscence were seen.However, major complications as recurrence were detected in two eyes of bare sclera technique.
Conclusıons: The pterygium surgery with auto grafting from the conjunctiva has lower recurrence compared to bare sclera technique with complications that are comparable for both the pterygium surgeries and may be a safe and effective initial treatment option to reduce risk of recurrence and postoperative complications of pterygium surgery.