ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2009; 26 (2): 77-83

Original article

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PTERYGIUM CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Boban Dzunic¹, Predrag Jovanovic¹, Aleksandar Petrovic<sup>2

1</sup>Ophthalmology Clinic, Clinical Center Nis
²Institute of Histology and Embriology, Faculty of Medicine Nis


SUMMARY

The aim of the research was to investigate the mutual relatedness of the clinical characteristics of pterygium (duration of the disease, size, grade, presence of Fuchs' patches and recurrence) and to point to the possibility of predicting the recurrence.
For the purpose of research, a group of 55 patients with pterygium was recruited. The patients were operated using the technique by Arlt at the Ophthalmology Clinic in Nis, where a complete clinical examination was also performed. Anamnestic data were collected preoperatively. The size of external scum was measured with a millimeter scale ruler and Tan's biomicroscopic method was used to verify the grade. In order to observe the complications and recurrence, all patients were monitored postoperatively for one year.
Pterygium represents a slow-growing formation which is confirmed by a high statistical significance (p < 0.001) of a correlation between its size and duration of development. Along with the growth of pterygium, its grade also increases. The reported difference in size between the two farthest grades – I and III has statistical significance (p < 0.001). Statistically, Fuchs' patches are more often present (p < 0.05) in larger pterygia. Compared to other factors, the presence of Fuchs' patches in pterygia increases the relative risk of recurrence by 6.62 times.
A comparative analysis of clinical characteristics of pterygium is a good basis for predicting the recurrence, which represents the greatest problem in the treatment of this widespread disease.

Key words: pterygium, Fuchs' patches, eye