The Changes in Tear Film after Primary Pterygium Operation.

Kim, Nam Eok; Kim, Sang Soo

doi:2013.54.11.1649

J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > Volume 54(11); 2013 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2013;54(11):1649-1654.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2013.54.11.1649 Published online November 15, 2013.

The Changes in Tear Film after Primary Pterygium Operation.

Nam Eok Kim, Sang Soo Kim

Department of Ophthalmology, Maryknoll Medical Center, Busan, Korea. eyerheu@hanafos.com

원발군날개 절제술 후 눈물막의 변화

김남억⋅김상수

Department of Ophthalmology, Maryknoll Medical Center, Busan, Korea

Abstract

PURPOSE
In this study we evaluated the changes in tear film after primary pterygium operation in patients with pterygium. METHODS: We investigated 43 eyes of 42 subjects who showed successful results 3 months after pterygium operation performed by one surgeon. The changes in tear film thickness, tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were evaluated. All values were compared before and after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 58.0 +/- 11.1 years (34-81 years). Preoperative tear film thickness, tear BUT, and Schirmer I test in eyes which underwent pterygium operation were 21.53 +/- 5.93 microm, 4.84 +/- 2.21 seconds, and 11.67 +/- 6.75 mm, respectively. Three months after the operation, the respective values were 24.23 +/- 4.19 microm (p < 0.05), 5.81 +/- 1.89 seconds (p < 0.05), and 13.02 +/- 7.54 mm (p = 0.094). Tear film thickness and BUT score increased significantly after pterygium operation. There was no statistically significant difference in Schirmer I test, before and 3 months after pterygium operation. The subjective parameter (OSDI) improved 3 months after pterygium operation (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Pterygium operation can partially restore the tear film function into a normal state by improving tear film thickness and tear BUT after pterygium operation.

Key Words: Pterygium;Pterygium operation;Tear film function