Abstract: Effect of pterygium surgery on tear osmolarity

Effect of pterygium surgery on tear osmolarity.

Purpose.
To investigate changes of dry eye test results in patients who underwent pterygium surgery.
 Methods.
Seventy-four patients who underwent primary pterygium surgery were enrolled in this study. At the baseline, 3-, 12-, and 18-month visits, measurements of tear osmolarity, BUT, and Schirmer test were performed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1, which consisted of patients in whom pterygium did not recur, and Group 2, which consisted of patients in whom pterygium recurred after surgery.
 Results.
The patients in Group 1 had lower tear osmolarity levels after surgery than those at baseline (all P < 0.001). In Group 2 the tear osmolarity levels did not differ from baseline after 18 months (P = 0.057). The prevalence rates of dry eye syndrome (DES) were lower than that at baseline and 18 months after surgery in Group 1 (P = 0.002). In Group 2, the incidence of DES was lower after 3 months than at baseline (P = 0.03) but was similar to the baseline rate after 12 and 18 months (both P > 0.05).
 Conclusions.
Anormal tear film function associated with pterygium. Pterygium excision improved tear osmolarity and tear film function. However, tear osmolarity deteriorated again with the recurrence of pterygium.

J Ophthalmol. 2013;2013:863498. doi: 10.1155/2013/863498. Epub 2013 Jan 20.

Türkyılmaz K, Oner V, Sevim MŞ, Kurt A, Sekeryapan B, Durmuş M.

Source

Department of Ophthalmology, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Medical School, 53100 Rize, Turkey.