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Risk Factors for Recurrence After Pterygium Surgery: An Image Analysis Study
Sang Beom Han1, Hyun Sun Jeon, Moosang Kim
1*Department of Ophthalmology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea; †Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea; ‡Biomedical Engineering Branch, Division of Convergence Technology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea; and §Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Pterygium recurrence risk is linked to increased vascularity, identified through automated image analysis. This method may help predict which patients are more likely to experience recurrence after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Pterygium is a common eye condition.
- Recurrence after surgical excision remains a challenge.
- Predictive factors for pterygium recurrence are crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for pterygium recurrence.
- To utilize automated image analysis for risk assessment.
- To evaluate the role of pterygium characteristics in recurrence.
Main Methods:
- 149 patients undergoing pterygium excision with limbal-conjunctival autograft were studied.
- Automated image analysis quantified pterygium relative length, width, area, and vascularity index (VI).
- Recurrence was assessed at 1 year post-surgery; associations were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.
Main Results:
- 18.8% of patients experienced pterygium recurrence within 1 year.
- Univariate analysis indicated relative length, width, area, and VI were associated with recurrence.
- Multivariate analysis revealed only VI was significantly correlated with recurrence, with higher VI predicting higher recurrence rates.
Conclusions:
- Increased pterygium vascularity is a significant risk factor for recurrence.
- Automated image analysis, particularly VI quantification, shows promise in predicting pterygium recurrence risk.
- This approach may aid in personalized surgical planning and follow-up strategies.
