Conjunctival autograft in pterygium treatment

Pterygium is characterized by the thickening of the bulbar conjunctiva and the invasion of the cornea from the sclerocorneal limbus to the central portion of the cornea. Pterygium produces corneal deformation, which extends toward the central portion of the cornea. The visual disorders depend on the corneal extent. The treatment goal is the removal of the corneal and conjunctival portion of the pterygium and the coverage of the resulting conjunctival defect. The association of the pterygium surgical excision was assessed with conjunctival autograft. For this purpose, a retrospective study was performed on 68 patients and was extended over 7 years (2009-2015). Patients with recurrent pterygium were excluded. The time for corneal re-epithelization and for the pain and photophobia disappearance was followed. The incidence of recurrence was also observed. Pain levels were assessed by using a 10-point visual analog linear scale (VAS). The mean time for ocular pain and photophobia disappearance was of 48 hours. The mean pain score was 3.38 at 24 hours after surgery. Corneal re-epithelialization was achieved in 60 hours after surgery. Recurrence occurred in 6 patients. It was concluded that pterygium surgical excision with conjunctival autograft is effective in pterygium surgery.