Abstract

Purpose-Pterygium is a common ocular surface disease. From years it has been said that pterygium is a degenerative process. But some immunological histopathological findings are now highly questioning this old age concept.
Method-A 52year female, presented to the OPD with pterygium nasally in the left eye. She had a history of pterygium excision 6 months back with conjunctival autograft at the same site. The recurrent pterygium was excised and sent for histopathological examination. Conjunctival limbal autograft was placed at site of excision.
Result-Histopathology of pterygium specimen exhibited a conjunctivo-epithelial structure covered with dysplastic goblet cells contributing hyperplasia along with fibrosis and angiogenesis.
Conclusion-Based on the results and findings it may be suggested that pterygium is not always a degenerative process but an inflammatory process & may also have a premalignant potential as it shows altered histopathological features and recurrence.