Development of corneo-scleral necrosis and calcification after pterygium excision and beta irradiation

ABSTRACT

We report the findings in an of eye a patient who, in 1980, underwent excision of a pterygium three times in the one year. The second and third operation were followed by beta irradiation. The 3600 cGy applied in two overlapping fields during the second of these irradiations had resulted in 7200 cGy being applied near the nasal limbus, which is where the most severe changes were seen. These consisted of corneal thinning [thickness estimated to be < 40% of normal] near the limbus at 3 o'clock, and scleral necrosis adjacently, permitting uveal tissue to shine through. A large, elevated and calcified plaque covered the nasal part of the rest of the sclera, right up to the caruncle. Vision in this eye was reduced to hand movements, mainly due to corneal scarring and immature senile cataract