Visual acuity and corneal topographic changes related with pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: Applied pre- and postoperative corneal topography outcomes with visual acuities were evaluated to determine the surgical results in pterygium therapy.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 30 eyes of 26 patients with primary and recurrent pterygium. Mean patient age was 52.26+/-11.50 years (range: 27 to 68 years). Pre- and postoperative visual acuity and comeal topography were evaluated for each case. Statistical analysis was performed using the repeated-measure test.

RESULTS

The mean uncorrected visual acuity was 0.41+/-0.30 preoperatively and 0.63+/-0.26 postoperatively (P<.001). The mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.59+/-0.28 preoperatively and 0.84+/-0.22 postoperatively (P<.001). Surface regularity index ranged from 1.96+/-1.08 preoperatively to 1.09+/-0.76 postoperatively (P<.001). The mean surface asymmetry index was 3.05+/-2.85 preoperatively and 1.39+/-1.70 postoperatively (P=.003). The mean topographic astigmatism was 4.65+/-3.02 preoperatively and 2.33+/-2.26 postoperatively (P=.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Examination of the topographic records reveals pterygium-associated corneal flattening in the horizontal meridian along the line of the pterygium. The improvement in topographic pattern and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity can be used as one indicator of the success of pterygium surgery.