Pterygium excision using 193-nm excimer laser smoothing and topical mitomycin C.
A total of 31 eyes with primary pterygium and 24 eyes with recurrent pterygium underwent surgical treatment and were followed for at least 1 year. The surgery involved a conventional bare-sclera technique combined with excimer laser smoothing of the wound bed. Postoperatively, the eyes were medically treated with topical mitomycin C (0.02%) for 4 days and with steroids for several weeks. No recurrence was noted within the 1st year in the primary pterygium group, whereas recurrence was observed in 3/24 eyes that had been treated for recurrent pterygium, equivalent to a recurrence rate of 12.5% in this subgroup. Nine eyes (16.4%) had gained 2 lines or more in visual acuity by 1 year after surgery. Granuloma developed in 3 eyes, and dellen formation was detected in 1 eye after surgery. The combination of surgical management with local mitomycin therapy may be considered to be a safe and effective technique for the removal of pterygium. Although the visual results were good, the role of excimer laser smoothing in the treatment of this disorder needs further investigation.
Seiler
T
T
Universitätsaugenklinik, Klinikum Rudolf Virchow, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
Schnelle
B
B
Wollensak
J
J
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016685:Mitomycin