Pattern of conjunctival masses seen at Guinness Eye Centre Luth Idi-Araba

Conjunctival masses are growth on the surface of the outer eye; which may represent benign or malignant transformations.

To determine the pattern of presentation of conjunctival masses at the Guinness Eye Centre (GEC), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba over a 13 year period (Jan 1995-Dec 2007).

A retrospective review of the clinical notes of all patients that presented to GEC with conjunctival masses during the study period was carried out. The bio-data, clinical features, stage, laterality and associated features of the masses were noted. The diagnosis, treatment and complications of treatment were also recorded.

Case notes of 612 eyes of 393 patients were included in the study. There were 219 (55.7%) males, 174 (44.3%) females with ages ranging from 4-85 years with a male to female ratio of 1.26: 1. Three hundred and eighty-eight patients (98.7%) presented as elective cases to the outpatient department while 5 (1.3%) presented as emergencies on account of associated ocular inflammation. There were 220 (56%) bilateral masses while 44% were uniocular. Pterygium was the leading conjunctival mass affecting 548 eyes (89.5%) of 329 patients. Pingueculae occurred in 53 eyes (8.7%), conjunctival cysts in 5 (0.8%) eyes, neoplastic growths in 3 (0.5%) eyes, conjunctival granulomas in 2 (0.3%) eyes and limbal teratoma in 1 (0.2%) eye. Most of these patients defaulted from surgery as only 141 eyes (23%) of 121 patients had surgery. Post-operative complications occurred in 33 eyes (5.4%) of 30 patients. The commonest postoperative complication was pterygium recurrence which occurred in 18 eyes of 15 patients.

Pterygium was the commonest conjunctival mass and preventive strategies need to be advocated. Prevention of recurrence remains a challenge in the management of pterygium as recurrence after surgical excision occurred in 13.2% of eyes. Our study however did not confirm outdoor occupations as a risk factor for pterygium.