Effect of pterygium excision on induced corneal topographic abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of successful pterygium surgery on astigmatism and other corneal topographic indices.


METHODS
Preoperative and postoperative refraction and corneal-topography analysis were performed on 16 consecutive eyes of 12 patients who underwent successful pterygium surgery, with statistical comparison of the pre- and postoperative visual acuity, refractive astigmatism, topographic astigmatism, Surface-Regularity Index, and Surface-Asymmetry Index.


RESULTS
Successful pterygium surgery caused statistically significant improvements in visual acuity, refractive and topographic astigmatism, the Surface-Regularity Index, and the surface asymmetry index.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal-topography analysis is an important component of the evaluation of patients with pterygium, revealing significant abnormalities that are improved by successful removal of the pterygium.
Stern
G A
GA
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610-0284, USA.
Lin
A
A
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011625:Pterygium / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology