Modified bare sclera method for the treatment of primary pterygium: a preliminary report.
BACKGROUND
The bare sclera technique is still in use by many surgeons worldwide in spite of the attendant high recurrence rate. Any modification of this well known procedure may be more widely acceptable if associated with lower recurrence.


METHODS
The bare sclera technique was modified by performing a partial thickness sclerectomy from the pterygium bed. This modified technique was applied to 23 eyes of 17 patients with primary pterygium. The subjects were followed up for varying periods between 8 to 31months to determine the recurrence rate of pterygium after surgical excision and other complications.


RESULTS
Initial observation showed that the recurrence occurred in two eyes of two patients of a series who were followed up for a minimum of six months and up to thirty-one months. Two other eyes developed suture granuloma. There were no other complications observed in the remaining twenty eyes of fifteen patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Partial thickness sclerectomy when performed with standard bare sclera technique seems promising and may improve the results of pterygium excision by bare sclera method.
Ashaye
A O
AO
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. aashaye@skannet.com
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery*; D015422:Scleral Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013536:Suture Techniques