Abstract

Study design: Cross sectional observational study
Purpose: To know the effect on dry-eye disease (DED) in patients with primary and recurrent pterygium excision surgery.
Methods: 44 patients were included and divided into 3 groups- Group A: primary pterygium excision with no recurrence; Group B: primary pterygium excision with recurrence; Group C: second pterygium excision with no recurrence. Dry-eye symptoms and Schirmer test were elicited for each patient.
Results: High prevalence of DED observed in patients with primary & recurrent pterygium based on dry eye symptoms (68.9%) & abnormal Schirmer test (ST) (74.8%). There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.025) in ST values b/w patients with (5.6mm) & without (11.4mm) recurrence after primary pterygium excision. Second excision had improved ST value, but this was not significant.
Conclusion: Pterygium either primary or recurrent, increases dry eye symptoms but recurrence is associated with a greater severity of DED.