title: Conjunctival autograft in primary and recurrent pterygium: a study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Investigate the efficiency of limbal conjunctival autograft in primary and recurrent pterygium. (2) To report the incidence of recurrence after primary and recurrent pterygium surgery using limbal conjunctival autograft.
  
  
  METHODS
  It is a prospective study conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, Gulbarga Karnataka, India for a period of 1 year (2007 to 2008) 100 patients were operated of which 6 were recurrent pterygium and the remaining were fleshy pterygium. All patients were in age group 20 to 60 and above.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study 7% cases were in age group 20 to 30 years, 22% 31 to 40 years, 30% 41 to 50 years, 24% 51 to 60 years and 17% 60 and above. (2) Depending on occupation high incidence is seen in outdoor patients i.e., 80%, indoor 20%. (3) Depending on location, 50% nasal, 30% temporal, bilateral 20%. (4) Laterality - Right eye 52%, left eye 38%, bilateral 10%. (5) Recurrence - More common in younger patients < 40 age 6 patients developed recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autogenous conjunctival grafting is a safe, uncomplicated, quick procedure and does not involve loss of tissue and prevents recurrence of pterygium. It also reduces the risk of granuloma formation, scleral thinning and necrosis.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital , Gulbarga, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Kavita Mallikarjun
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Salagar
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College , Bidar, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Kalyanappa Gurlingappa
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Biradar
keywords: Conjunctival autograft; Primary pterygium; Recurrent pterygium