Surgical Outcomes in Adult Patients Undergoing Pterygium Excision with Conjunctival Autograft: A Prospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: Pterygium is a common ocular surface disorder in tropical regions characterized by fibrovascular growth of conjunctival tissue
over the cornea. Surgical excision remains the definitive treatment, and conjunctival autografting is the preferred technique due to its low
recurrence rates and superior cosmetic and functional outcomes.
Aim: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft in adult patients attending Anmmch Gayaji Bihar.
Methodology: This prospective observational study included 60 adult patients randomly selected from the ophthalmology outpatient with
primary pterygium who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft over a six-month period. Preoperative and postoperative
evaluations included best corrected visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, graft status, complications, and recurrence. A follow-up was conducted
for six months.
Results: The mean best corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 0.42 ± 0.18 logMAR preoperatively to 0.18 ± 0.12 logMAR
postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean corneal astigmatism reduced from 2.15 ± 0.72 diopters to 0.85 ± 0.44 diopters (p < 0.001). Postoperative
complications were minimal, with graft edema observed in 10% and graft displacement in 5% of cases. Recurrence was noted in only 5% of
patients at six months.
Conclusion: Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft is a safe, effective, and reliable surgical method that provides excellent functional
and anatomical outcomes with low recurrence, making it suitable for routine clinical practice in high-risk populations.