Basic tear secretion measurement in pterygium.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between dry eye and pterygium. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study of basic tear secretion in 30 patients who had unilateral pterygium was performed. Schirmer's test with anesthesia was assessed in both eyes of patients with unilateral pterygium. RESULTS: Mean Schirmer's test value in the eye with pterygium was 11.6 +/- 0.4 mm and 12.4 + 0.4 mm, without pterygium. The Schirmer's test value was decreased significantly in the eye with pterygium. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the Schirmer's test value with anesthesia was decreased significantly in the eye with unilateral pterygium when compared with a healthy eye.