Sheetal Baldava1, M. Gopal Kishan2, Syeda Fatima Shabreen3
INTRODUCTION: Pterygium is a degenerative condition of the subconjuctival tissue which proliferates as vascularized granulation tissue to invade the cornea, destroying the superficial layers of the stroma and bowmans membrane. Surgical removal remains the main stay of treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the recurrence rate of bare sclera technique and conjuctival autografting in primary pterygium excision.
METHODOLOGY: This study was carried out as a prospective comparative study. This study was conducted during June 2013 to June 2014. 50 patients of primary pterygium were admitted. 25 patients were treated with bare sclera technique and 25 patients were treated with conjunctival auto graft. Post-operative follow up was done for 6 months to find out the recurrence of pterygium and any other complications.
RESULT: 25 patients received Bare Sclera Technique (n=25) and 25 patients received Conjunctival Auto Graft (CAG) (n=25). There was recurrence in 16 cases (40%) in group A with bare sclera technique and 2 cases (8%) had recurrence in GROUP B with conjunctival autograft. There was statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate in the 2 groups. Of other post-operative complications in bare sclera technique 5 cases (20%) had corneal opacity, 3 cases (12%) had scleral thinning, 5 cases (20%) had pyogenic granuloma. There was no significant post-operative complication with conjuctival auto graft.
CONCLUSION: simple excision of pterygium followed by conjuctival autograft has the lowest recurrence rate and minimum incidence of complications compared to bare sclera technique.
