Epidemiology and recurrence rate of pterygium post excision in Ghanaians

Abstract

To determine the epidemiology and recurrence rate of pterygium after excision using bare sclera technique.DESIGN: Prospective non-comparative study.SETTING: Ophthalmology unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.METHODS: The study involved 60 consecutive patients with primary apterygial from July 1998 to December 2000 who had bare sclera excision after informed consent. They were post-operatively followed up for 30-months.RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (58%) were females. The patients' ages ranged from 17-75 years, mean (±12.6). Overall recurrence was 22(37%). The main complications encountered include were granuloma 20 %(n=12), restriction in medial rectus muscle motility 2(3%), persistent vascularisation at excision site 2(3%) and adherence leucoma with uveitis 1(2%). No significant association was found between recurrence and pterygium morphology, calcification, allergy and occupation (indoor or outdoor).CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate after pterygium excision using bare sclera technique in Ghanaians is high (37%).