Surgical management of scleral perforation after pterygium excision.
OBJECTIVE
Scleral perforation is a rare complication occurring after pterygium excision often leading to scleral ulceration and loss of vision. Our purpose is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of tenonplasty and amniotic membrane transplantation in the management of scleral perforation after pterygium excision.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study on patients with scleral perforation after pterygium excision that underwent tenonplasty and amniotic membrane transplantation at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1997 to 1999 and followed up for at least 12 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
There were 6 patients, 1 male and 5 females ranging in ages from 46 to 71 years (mean, 63.3). The interval between pterygium excisions to scleral perforation ranged from 3 to 20 years. There were no recurrences during the follow-up period of 12 to 24 months (average, 18.3 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Tenonplasty and amniotic membrane transplantation appears to be a relatively simple, safe, and effective method for treating scleral perforation after pterygium excision.
Lin
Hsin-Chiung
HC
Ku
Wan-Chen
WC
Lin
Ken-Kuo
KK
Tsai
Ray Ju-Fang
RJ
D000368:Aged; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011625:Pterygium / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000293:injuries*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology