title: A comparison of precorneal tear film pre and post pterygium surgery. .
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Precorneal tear film was altered in pterygium eye and may be improved after pterygium removal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare Schirmer's test results and tear breakup time before and after pterygium surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients, aged between 30 and 77 years were enrolled in this study; one pterygium surgery eye was observed per patient. A paired t-test was used to compare Schirmer's test results and tear breakup time pre pterygium excision and one-month post-operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences in Schirmer's test results and tear breakup time between pre and one-month post-operation. The mean +/- standard deviations of Schirmer's test results before and one-month after pterygium surgery were 9.2 +/- 4.3 and 10.0 +/- 6.3 millimeters, respectively (p = 0.30), and those results for tear breakup time were 7.5 +/- 3.0 and 7.9 +/- 3.1 seconds, respectively (p = 0.44).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pterygium removal may not have any effect on Schirmer's test results and tear breakup time one-month post- surgery.
authors.forename: Kosol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kampitak
authors.forename: Wanwisa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tansiricharernkul
authors.forename: Wichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Leelawongtawun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013666:Tears / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome