The effect of pterygium surgery on contrast sensitivity and corneal topographic changes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of pterygium surgery on corneal topography and contrast sensitivity.


METHODS
The IRB approved this prospective, nonrandomized, self-controlled study. Computerized videokeratography (Orbscan II) was performed in 36 patients with primary pterygia, both before and 1 month after pterygium excision with limbal-conjunctival autografting. The topographic parameters were compared. Spatial contrast sensitivity testing was performed using VCTS 6500. Differences between preoperative and postoperative values were evaluated statistically.


RESULTS
The mean Sim K astigmatism and irregularity index, significantly decreased after pterygium surgery. The mean refractive power significantly increased after the operation. The "with-the-rule" astigmatism induced by pterygium became "against-the-rule" astigmatism after pterygium removal (P = 0.041). The contrast sensitivity of 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree, significantly increased from 1.55 +/- 0.28, 0.97 +/- 0.47, and 0.29 +/- 0.16 to 1.72 +/- 0.18, 1.21 +/- 0.44, and 0.65 +/- 0.48, respectively (P = 0.007, <0.001, <0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Pterygium surgery significantly reduces corneal topographic astigmatism and improves contrast sensitivity.
Oh
Joo Youn
JY
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Wee
Won Ryang
WR
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