use of triamcinolone acetonide to prevent recurrence of pterygium

ABSTRACT

One hundred and fifty two eyes were treated for pterygium. Group I [72 eyes] were treated by the d'Ombrian Bare Sclera operating technique only whereas Group II [80 eyes] received triamciniolone acetonide 20 mg injection at the excision site after surgery. A recurrence rate of 40% was seen in Group I compared to 4% in Group II during a follow up period of 18 months. Raised intra-ocular pressure was noted in 9% of eyes requiring anti-glaucoma treatment for 9 to 18 weeks, in Group II only. The presence of a thin conjunctiva covered with very few vessels at the injection site following treatment could suggest a vasoconstrictor effect of triamcinolone and/or an inhibitory effect on vascular and fibroblastic proliferation, as the mechanism for preventing pterygium recurrence