Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University
Abstract
Pterygium is a fibrovascular growth arising from the conjunctiva and extending over the cornea. It arises from bulbar conjunctiva and may be stationary or progressive, and it is more common in tropical areas. Most of the population-based studies suggest that cumulative ultraviolet light exposure is the main risk factor for pterygium development. This may explain the variations in gender affection in different communities according to the male-to-female ratio in outdoor occupations. Corneal invasion leads to the induction of astigmatism and may obstruct the visual axis leading to decreased vision. Pterygia can cause local corneal flattening and increase ocular aberrations which affect the quality of vision. Surgery is the best option to treat pterygium, the main indication for surgery in pterygium is the affection of vision, but surgery could be indicated also in cases of cosmetic disfigurement or chronic irritation.Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft reduces the recurrence rate in primary and recurrent pterygia.
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