Correlation between pterygium size and induced corneal astigmatism.

PURPOSE: Before invasion of the visual axis, pterygia typically induce with-the-rule astigmatism, which can be visually significant. In this study, we attempted to assess the quantitative relation between pterygium size and induced corneal astigmatism using corneal topography and digital imaging.

METHODS

Thirty-three eyes of 25 patients with primary pterygia were evaluated using corneal topography (TMS), slit-lamp photography, and digital imaging to correlate parameters of pterygium size with induced corneal astigmatism at the 3- and 6-mm optical zones.

RESULTS

Pterygia induce asymmetric with-the-rule astigmatism. Lesions extending >45% of the corneal radius or within 3.2 mm of the visual axis produce increasing degrees of induced astigmatism.

CONCLUSION

Once pterygia reach a critical size, they induce visually significant central with-the-rule astigmatic changes that may not be apparent by subjective refraction. This finding helps to identify those patients who may benefit from surgical intervention.