Effect of pterygium excision on keratometric readings

A pterygium is a triangular, fibrovascular connective tissue overgrowth of bulbar conjunctiva onto the cornea. A pterygium may grow into the visual axis and thus obstruct vision. It may also have an effect on corneal curvature and cause irregular astigmatism or formation of dellen. No study of these effects after surgical treatment has been published, to the best of our knowledge. In this study an attempt was made to find out whether corneal curvature is affected as a result of the surgery. The results of 28 pterygium operations performed between 1989-1990 were analyzed as regards k-readings before and 4 months after operation (1 month after discontinuance of thiotepa drops). It was found that excision of the pterygium by the bare sclera technique, together with the use of steroids and thiotepa drops, had no effect on the corneal k-readings made 4 months after operation.