Vascular patterns in pterygium and conjunctival autografting: a pilot study using indocyanine green anterior segment angiography.

AIMS: To characterise the vasculature of pterygium using indocyanine green (ICG) anterior segment angiography and to demonstrate the pattern of revascularisation following conjunctival autografting.

METHODS

ICG anterior segment angiography was performed on nine patients with pterygium. Angiography was repeated at 1-2 weeks and 2 months following conjunctival autografting in these patients.

RESULTS

Angiography showed a single feeder vessel originating from the anterior conjunctival circulation in six cases (66.7%). This vessel branched to form the radial vessels of the pterygium. Following conjunctival autografting, reperfusion of the vessels in the conjunctival autograft was demonstrable as early as 1 week postoperatively from the episcleral bed. At 2 months postoperatively, the graft appeared well perfused with mild leakage demonstrable at the edges of the graft.

CONCLUSIONS

A single feeder vessel from the anterior conjunctival circulation branches to form the radial vessels in pterygium. Reperfusion of conjunctival autografts occurs as early as 1 week postoperatively from the episcleral bed.