Update on overview of pterygium and its surgical management.

Abstract

Pterygium is a bulbar conjunctival fibrovascular growth that crosses the limbus and extends onto the peripheral cornea, and in some cases leads to significant visual complications. The prevalence of this disease has been reported to be from 1.2% to about 40% in different parts of the world. Although there are various risk factors for pterygium, which include ultraviolet (UV) radiation, viral infection, hereditary factors, immune factors, aseptic inflammation, and environmental irritation, the pathogenesis of pterygium is mainly related to exposure to UV light. In addition to cosmetic problems, pterygium can lead to eye irritation, disrupt the transparency of cornea on the pupil area, and cause disorders such as corneal astigmatism and damage to the visual axis leading to vision impairment. In the last few years, the treatment of pterygium has been developed and various new solutions have been used. Surgery is the main treatment for pterygium. Various techniques such as Bare Sclera, Rotational Conjunctival Flap, Limbal Conjunctival Autograft, Amniotic Membrane Graft, and Free Conjunctival Autograft are used for the removal of pterygium. It also seems that the worrisome problem of recurrence has been significantly reduced with newer treatment methods. On the contrary, the use of auxiliary treatments such as mitomycin C, b-radiation, 5-fluorouracil, topical use of interferons, and Avastin are also effective in reducing the recurrence rate.