ABSTRACT
AIM: To review the management of pterygium in Nigeria.METHODS: The medical records of patients who had pterygium excisions over a four year period (January 1999-December 2002) were reviewed. These patients were seen at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and Ebrans Clinic both in Enugu, Nigeria. The analysis of patients' bio-data, clinical presentation, surgical management and post-operative complications were carried out using EPI-INFO version 6.1. Three surgical techniques were employed: bare sclera procedure only (60 eyes); bare sclera with adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (42 eyes)and bare sclera with mitomycin-C, MMC, (22 eyes).RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four eyes of 72 patients had pterygium excisions and were followed up for a least one year post-operatively. There were 41 males (56.9%) and 31 females (43.1%) giving a male to female rario of 1 :0.8. The mean age was 42.8 years while the range was 20-69 years. Recurrence was highest is stage Ⅲ (55.6%) and lowest in stage Ⅰ (22.2%). Concerning the 3surgical techniques, the recurrence rates were 65.0%, 52%and L3.6% respectively.CONCLUSION: In the management of pterygium in a developing country, early excision with use of intraoperative MMC is advocated. It is safe, affordable, technically easier and less invasive.