title: Role of artificial tears in reducing the recurrence of pterygium after surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether artificial tears can reduce recurrence of pterygium after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 128 primary pterygium cases after excision were randomized into two groups according to postoperative drugs: 64 cases received topical dexamethasone (control group), and 64 cases received topical dexamethasone and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (treatment group). The pterygium was removed with amniotic membrane graft technique in all cases. Recurrence was observed within 6 months after surgery, and survival analysis was used to evaluate the difference between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in age and gender of patients, size of pterygium, Schirmer's test results and tear breakup time between both groups (p > 0.05). Recurrence rate in the treatment group (16%) was significantly less than the control group (33%), p = 0.018 (log-rank test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using artificial tears as an adjunctive drug could lower pterygium recurrence after excision.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors: Kosol
authors: K
authors: Kampitak
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors: Wichai
authors: W
authors: Leelawongtawun
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors: Supinda
authors: S
authors: Leeamornsiri
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors: Wannisa
authors: W
authors: Suphachearaphan
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops
keywords: artificial tears; pterygium; randomized controlled trial; recurrence; surgery