title: Recurrence rate and complications after beta irradiation for pterygia.
abstract: Of 1102 consecutive patients treated with beta irradiation after pterygium removal at the Queensland Radium Institute from 1973 through 1978, 503 had a follow-up ophthalmologic examination in 1989, while a further 82 had at least a 10-year follow-up from ophthalmologic records. One hundred forty-two patients were lost to follow-up because of death, lack of cooperation, and geographical inaccessibility. A further 375 patients could not be located. Of those not followed for at least 10 years, 162 had a follow-up, recorded from ophthalmologic records, of at least 3 months. After an average dose of 22 Gray, there was a recurrence rate of 12%. A further 13% showed some sign of scleromalacia, which included 4.5% of the study group who had severe thinning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: MacKenzie
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Hirst
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kynaston
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001610:Beta Particles / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011625:Pterygium / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D015422:Scleral Diseases / Q000209:etiology