Recurrent pterygia: results of postoperative treatment with Sr-90 applicators

Recurrent pterygia in 42 patients (48 eyes) were treated locally with strontium-90 irradiation from May 1967 to May 1988. The 31 male patients had an average age of 52 years; the 11 female patients, 46 years. All patients underwent surgical resection of the recurrent pterygia with use of the bare-sclera technique. During the immediate postoperative period the surgical site was treated with an Sr-90 applicator (beta irradiation). Doses ranged from 10 to 70 Gy (average, 50 Gy). Follow-up times ranged from 8 to 136 months (median, 14 months). The local control rate was 89%. Four of the five recurrences were in patients treated with doses of 1,000-1,500 cGy (P less than .0002). None of the patients developed cataracts or any other serious complications.