Association between pterygium and dry eye among patients in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract

Background and Aim: Pterygium is a relatively common condition of the conjunctiva that affects people at different stages of life. Dry eye disease (DED) is a well-known associated morbidity with pterygium. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pterygium and dry eye among otherwise healthy Libyan people. Methods: A case–control study was conducted on patients attending Al-Keish Polyclinic in Benghazi. Two techniques have been applied individually, in parallel and in series for all of the study participants, Schirmer's test and break-up time (BUT) test. Results: This study included 50 eyes belonged to 35 patients with a median age of 37 (range 26–65) years, and among those, 18 (51.4%) cases (25 eyes) had pterygium and a group of 17 (48.6%) cases (25 eyes) were control. Rates of DED diagnosis were highest using parallel testing (positive results in any of the tests) than with BUT and Schirmer's test individually and lowest using series testing (positive results in both tests). Eyes with pterygium showed obviously and statistically significant higher rates of positive test results. All controls were normal testing with Schirmer's test and hence in series testing. Conclusion: Testing for DED using parallel combined testing (BUT and Schirmer's test) relying on positive result of any of the tests increases sensitivity and may increase the value of the test for screening for dry DED among particular high-risk groups.