Essential role of ultraviolet radiation in the decrease of corneal endothelial cell density caused by pterygium.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Science
• UV Radiation Effects

Background:

• Pterygium is a common ocular condition affecting the cornea.
• Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) is crucial for corneal health and transparency.
• The role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in pterygium-induced ECD decrease requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the essential role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the decrease of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) caused by pterygium.
• To analyze the correlation between UV exposure duration and the reduction in corneal ECD in pterygium patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective controlled study of 76 patients with unilateral primary pterygium.
• Central corneal ECD measured in both eyes (pterygium and fellow eye).
• Patients subgrouped by UV exposure time; ECD differences analyzed using independent samples t-test.

Main Results:

• Longer UV exposure showed a significant decrease in corneal ECD in the pterygium group (2264.83 ± 349.78 cells/mm²) compared to controls (2477.16 ± 300.36 cells/mm²; P=0.004).
• Short UV exposure did not reveal a significant ECD difference between pterygium and control groups (P=0.262).
• Decreased corneal ECD positively correlated with disease duration (P=0.035), but not with pterygium size or astigmatism.

Conclusions:

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure plays a significant role in pterygium-associated decrease of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD).
• Long-term UV exposure exacerbates the detrimental effect of pterygium on corneal endothelium.
• Disease duration is a key factor associated with reduced corneal ECD in pterygium.