Effect of Pterygium Surgery on Corneal Topography

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of successful pterygium surgery on corneal topography.

Methods

Computerized corneal topography was performed on 20 eyes with pterygium before and 3 months after successful excision and limbo-conjunctival autograft surgery. Corneal shape, corneal spherical power, simulated keratometric astigmatism, surface regularity index (SRI), and surface asymmetry index (SAI) were assessed before and after surgery. Pre- and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) were also evaluated.

Results

Changes in corneal shape were mainly a decrease in midline corneal flattening. Corneal spherical power was 41.65±3.29 diopters (D) (mean ± SD) preoperatively and 44.58±1.55 D postoperatively (p=0.04). Simulated keratometric astigmatism was 5.47±3.45 D preoperatively and 1.79±1.52 D postoperatively (p=0.0005). SRI was 1.39±0.93 preoperatively and 1.10±0.57 postoperatively (p=0.03). SAI was 1.17±1.09 preoperatively and 0.75±0.73 postoperatively (p=0.02). UCVA was 0.31±0.33 preoperatively and 0.52±0.32 postoperatively (p=0.04). BSCVA was 0.73±0.20 preoperatively and 0.89±0. 16 postoperatively (p=0.008). MRSE was −0.54±3.29 D preoperatively and −1.30±3.05 D postoperatively (p=0.45).

Conclusions

Corneal topographic changes caused by the pterygium are almost reversible after surgical treatment. Successful pterygium surgery significantly reduces topographic astigmatism, SRI, SAI, and corneal flattening. However, precise prediction of these refractive changes is not always accurate.