Primary pterygium: interpretation using optical coherence tomography

ABSTRACT

Primary pterygium: interpretation using optical coherence tomography

A.V. Petrayevsky, K.S. Trishkin, N.A. Adelshina

The Volgograd State Medical University

Purpose. To give a characteristic of a primary pterygium at its different stages for specification of indications to a surgical treatment using the optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Material and methods. There were examined 45 eyes with primary pterygium, 53 eyes with nasal pinguecula. As a comparison group 30 eyes without signs of a pinguecula or a pterygium were investigated. Biomicroscopy with a photo-registration and the anterior segment ОCТ were applied in all eyes.

Results. The OCT in eyes with pterygium and pinguecula demonstrated disturbances of a normal anatomic structure of a nasal part of cornea, limbus and conjunctiva. Considerable OCT differences between a stationary and a progressive pterygium were revealed. Signs of transition of a pinguecula to a primary pterygium, invisible in the biomicroscopy, were detected by the OCT method.

Conclusions. The anterior segment optical coherence tomography is a valuable source of the information in the diagnosis of pterygium. It allows to reveal subclinical signs of transition of a pinguecula to a pterygium. It is expedient to use the OCT data in a definition of indications to surgical treatment of pterygium and pinguecula.

Key words: pterygium, pinguecula, optical coherence tomography.