Primary Pterygium Excision Surgery: Analysis of Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes.

Purpose To evaluate clinical outcomes of primary pterygium excision surgery and analyze risk factors for pterygium recurrence. Setting Eye Treatment Centre, Cornea and External Diseases Service, Whipps Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Methods Retrospective case series of eyes undergoing primary pterygium excision between August 2017 and July 2022. Patients who underwent "pterygium excision" documented in the electronic patient record system were identified. Patients with recurrent pterygium and those lost-to-follow-up were excluded. The duration of follow-up, type of surgery performed (primary conjunctival closure, conjunctival autograft, and amniotic membrane transplantation), recurrences with respect to the type of surgery performed, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed. Results In total, 83 eyes (from 79 patients) were included. The mean age of our patient cohort was 59.3 ± 5.9 years. The most common ethnic distribution was Black Caribbean (15.7%). Conjunctival autograft was performed in 76 eyes (91.6%), primary conjunctival closure was performed in five eyes (6%) and amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in two eyes (2.4%). The recurrence rate with conjunctival autograft was 1.3% with a median time to recurrence of 2.98 months. Recurrence was significantly more common in patients below the age of 40 years (p=0.03). Recurrence was not significantly associated with gender (p=0.23), ethnicity (p=0.17), or grade of surgeon (p=0.38).  Conclusion Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of conjunctival autograft with fibrin glue fixation for the surgical management of primary pterygium. Recurrence was found to be significantly more common in patients under the age of 40 years old. However, recurrence was not associated with ethnicity, gender, or surgeon grade.

Timing optimization for primary pterygium excision with conjunctival-limbal autograft to restore the corneal optical properties.

PURPOSE: To propose the optimal value of baseline corneal astigmatism and pterygial morphological profiles for primary pterygium surgery to restore the corneal optical properties. METHODS: We analysed 93 eyes from 84 subjects with nasal-only primary pterygium who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival-limbal autograft and were assessed perioperatively using anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography (AS SS-OCT). We collected data on anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA) and root mean square (RMS) values for anterior corneal lower- (LoA) and higher-order aberrations (HoA) as corneal optical properties using AS SS-OCT. Using preoperative ACA and four pterygial morphological profiles (horizontal invasion length [HIL], height, thickness and the ratio of residual corneal thickness [RCT] to central corneal thickness [CCT]) measured in AS SS-OCT, we plotted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. These curves aimed to determine cut-off values predicting a perioperative decrease exceeding 50% in ACA, RMS LoA and RMS HoA, as well as postoperative residual ACA higher than 1.25D. RESULTS: Preoperative ACA > 1.42D (AUC = 0.934) and >3.60D (AUC = 0.946) proved most effective in identifying subjects with perioperative decrease exceeding in ACA and RMS LoA, respectively. HIL > 3.34 mm (AUC = 0.941) was most effective in distinguishing subjects with perioperative reduction exceeding 50% in RMS HoA. Preoperative ACA > 5.78D (AUC = 0.776) and HIL > 5.03 mm (AUC = 0.700) significantly distinguished subjects with postoperative residual ACA higher than 1.25D. CONCLUSION: Optimizing the restoration of corneal astigmatism and aberrations after pterygium surgery may be facilitated by determining the optimal surgical timing based on preoperative ACA and HIL values.

Transparent intrastromal corneal lenticule obtained from SMILE surgery as a free graft for the treatment of primary pterygium: A pilot study.

Purpose: To report our initial experience in patients with primary pterygium surgery who had a transparent intrastromal corneal lenticule as a free graft obtained during small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery. Observations: This study enrolled five eyes of 5 patients with pterygium who were surgically treated with single or double free lenticule that was sutured to the defective area of the nasal corneosclera immediately following pterygium excision. All cases with pterygium were primary, and topical mitomycin C was not used at the time of surgery. The mean age of the patients was 51.0 years and 2 of the 5 eyes belonged to male subjects. The patients were followed up for an average of six months. During the follow-up period, the lenticule grafts demonstrated no sign of rejection and were intact in all cases. All patients recovered well with no complications or recurrences at six months postoperatively. Conclusions and Importance: This report suggests that transparent corneal lenticules obtained during SMILE laser surgery may be used as an alternative novel graft source for the surgical treatment of patients with primary pterygium. It appears to be a safe, easy, cost- and time-effective reliable method.

Efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in the treatment of primary pterygium.

Purpose: To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents in management of primary pterygium. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to September 2022. Recurrences and complications were evaluated as the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects model. Results: In total of 1,096 eyes in 19 RCTs were included. Anti-VEGF agents statistically decreased recurrence rate of pterygium following surgery (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.74, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that anti-VEGF as an adjunct to bare sclera (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.90, P = 0.03) and conjunctival autograft (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.96, P = 0.04) statistically reduced recurrence rate, while the effect was not favorable for conjunctivo-limbo autograft (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.36-2.68, P = 0.98). Anti-VEGF agents statistically decreased recurrence in White patients (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28-0.83, P = 0.008), while didn't in Yellow patients (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.12-1.47, P = 0.18). Both topical (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08-0.45, P < 0.001) and subconjunctival anti-VEGF agents (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.45-0.91, P = 0.01) had a positive influence on recurrence. There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the groups (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.52-1.22, P = 0.29). Conclusions: As adjuvant treatment, anti-VEGF agents statistically reduced the recurrence following pterygium surgery, especially among White patients. Anti-VEGF agents were well tolerated without increased complications.

Conjunctival and Limbal Conjunctival Autograft vs. Amniotic Membrane Graft in Primary Pterygium Surgery: A 30-Year Comprehensive Review.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to compare the "real-life" effectiveness of amniotic membrane graft (AMG) and conjunctival (CAT) or limbal conjunctival (LCA) autograft in the management of primary pterygium. METHODS: Human-based studies on primary pterygium surgery that were published between 1993 and 2022 with at least 3 months of follow-up were identified, and only those that were retrospective were included. The global recurrence rate of pterygium was assessed for each surgical technique separately. Specific recurrence rates taking into consideration the fixation technique (glue versus sutures) were also measured. RESULTS: 35 real-life retrospective subgroups comprising a total of 3747 eyes were included in the final review. The mean global recurrence rates for CAT, LCA and AMG were 7.61%, 5.50% and 9.0%, respectively. Recurrences were less common for patients who received fibrin glue (5.92%, 2.56% and 3.60%) than for those who received sutures (8.99%, 6.03% and 23.0%) for the three groups, respectively. Surgical techniques combining CAT or LCA with AMG yielded an even lower global recurrence rate (1.83%). CONCLUSION: AMG seems like a reasonable option that could be considered in primary pterygium surgery, especially when glued to the underlying sclera. Combining AMG with other treatment modalities such as CAT or LCA seems to offer an interesting alternative in terms of recurrence.

Autologous simple conjunctival epithelial transplantation for primary pterygium.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of a new method of conjunctival transplantation to achieve recovery of the normal conjunctival epithelium over the bare sclera after pterygium excision and prevent its recurrence. METHODS: After excision of the primary pterygium, we performed simple conjunctival epithelial transplantation (SCET) in which we glued an amniotic membrane patch pre-loaded with tiny autologous conjunctival tissue fragments over the scleral defect. Slit-lamp evaluation was performed at 2 and 7-10 days, and then at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, together with confocal microscopy at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Surgical excision and SCET for nasal primary pterygium were performed in 6 eyes (6 patients). No graft detachment occurred. An inflammatory granuloma was excised without sequelae in one patient 2 months after surgery. No signs of recurrence or sight-threatening complications were recorded at 12 months, and in vivo confocal microscopy showed progressive expansion of the conjunctival cell population and formation of a clear corneal-conjunctival transition. CONCLUSIONS: SCET takes advantage of the ability of the amniotic membrane and conjunctival cells to renew. Outcomes after SCET are comparable to conventional conjunctival flap surgery and can be achieved in less surgical time and with less donor tissue to be removed.

Green Tea Catechins Attenuate Human Primary Pterygium Cell Survival and Migration Via Modulation of ERK p42/p44 and p38 Pathways.

Pterygium belongs to an ocular surface disease with triangular-shaped hyperplastic growth, characterized by conjunctivalization, inflammation, and connective tissue remodeling. We previously demonstrated neoplastic-like properties of pterygium cells. Green tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been shown to possess antitumorigenic properties; herein, we aimed to determine the effects of green tea catechins on human primary pterygium cell survival and migration and compared to that on patients' conjunctival cells. Both human primary pterygium and conjunctival cells expressed EGCG receptor, the 67 kDa laminin receptor. Seven-day treatment of green tea extract (Theaphenon E; 16.25 µg/mL) and EGCG (25 µM) attenuated pterygium cell proliferation by 16.78% (p < 0.001) and 24.09% (p < 0.001) respectively, without significantly influencing conjunctival cells. Moreover, green tea extract (16.25 µg/mL) and EGCG (25 µM) treatments also hindered pterygium cell migration by 35.22% (p < 0.001) and 25.20% (p = 0.019), respectively, but not conjunctival cells. Yet, green tea extract and EGCG treatments did not significantly induce pterygium cell apoptosis. Furthermore, green tea extract and EGCG treatments significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38 protein but reduced the phosphorylation of p42/p44 protein in pterygium cells. In summary, this study revealed that green tea extract and EGCG attenuated human primary pterygium cell survival and migration in vitro without damaging conjunctival cells, suggesting a novel potential therapeutic approach for primary pterygium treatment.

Efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil in the Treatment of Pterygium.

Objective To determine the efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil (FU) in the treatment of pterygium. Methodology After meeting the inclusion criteria 101 patients were enrolled in this study. Informed consent and demographic information was taken from all the patients. Patients underwent ophthalmic clinical examination that included slit lamp examination to grade pterygium. Before starting 5-FU injections, all topical medication was stopped. After four weeks the effects of 5-FU and its efficacy was noted. The patients were reviewed again after six months to note any recurrence. All the collected data was entered and analyzed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results In our study the mean age of the patients was 37.74 ± 10.15 years, male to female ratio of the patients was 1.06:1. The primary type of pterygium was noted in 54 (53.5%) and recurrent was noted in 47 (46.5%) patients. The efficacy achieved in 88 (87.13%) patients, four had recurrence of pterygium and of 101 patients 26 underwent surgical excision. Conclusion The use of 5-FU is safe and effective for the treatment of pterygium and it can be implemented as a primary treatment especially in the hot temperate zone where it is very common and aggressive with high recurrence rate. 5-FU not only halts its progression but also reduces the size and vascularity thus decreasing the need for surgery and steroid use and preventing recurrence.

Evaluation of Cyclooxygenase-2 and p53 Expression in Pterygium Tissue Following Preoperative Intralesional Ranibizumab Injection.

Introduction: Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and p53 are the postulated aetiopathogenesis in pterygium. VEGF is responsible for the induction of COX-2 expression, whereas p53 plays an important role in the regulation of VEGF. This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemistry of COX-2 and p53 expressions from excised pterygium tissue from patients who received intralesional ranibizumab (anti-VEGF) injection 2 weeks prior to pterygium surgery. Materials and Methods: An interventional comparative study involving patients presenting with primary pterygium was conducted between September 2015 and November 2017. The patients were randomized into either the intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group were injected with intralesional ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) 2 weeks prior to surgery. Both groups underwent pterygium excision followed by conjunctival autograft. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to evaluate COX-2 and p53 expressions in the excised pterygium tissue. Results: A total of 50 patients (25 in both the intervention and control groups) were recruited. There were 34 (68%) patients with grade III pterygium and 16 (32%) patients with grade IV pterygium. There was statistically significant difference in reduction of COX-2 expression in the epithelial layer [84.0% (95% CI: 63.9, 95.5)] (p = 0.007) and stromal layer [84.0% (95% CI: 63.9, 95.5)] (p < 0.001) between intervention and control groups. There was no significant difference in the reduction of p53 expression between the two groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the possible use of intralesional anti-VEGF treatment prior to pterygium excision as a potential future modality of adjunctive therapy for pterygium surgery.

Effects of tear film after conjunctival autograft transplant and limbal conjunctival autograft transplant for primary pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To compare the effects of tear film after conjunctival autograft transplant(CAT)and limbal conjunctival autograft transplant(LCAT)for primary pterygium.<p>METHODS: In a prospective study, 150 patients(150 eyes)diagnosed with primary pterygium were collected in Beijing road medical area of Xinjiang Military Region General Hospital from September 2018 to May 2019. The 150 patients enrolled in the study in turn, and divided into two groups by the odd and even number. The odd number underwent CAT and the even number underwent LCAT. Respectively before surgery and 1, 3, 6mo and 1a after surgery, tear film break-up time(TBUT), SchirmerⅠtest(SⅠt)and ocular surface disease index(OSDI)were checked. The date were compared and analyzed.<p>RESULTS:Totally 129 patients(129 eyes)completed the follow-up of 1a, including 64 patients(64 eyes)from the CAT group and 65 patients(65 eyes)from the LCAT group. Four patients(4 eyes, recurrence rate 6.2%)in the CAT group and 3 patients(3 eyes, recurrence rate 4.6%)in the LCAT group developed recurrence. However, there was no significant in recurrence rate between CAT group and LCAT group(<i>P</i>=0.718). There were significant differences between before surgery and after surgery in each group(<i>P</i><0.05), and there were significant differences between 1mo after surgery and 3, 6mo and 1a after surgery in each group(<i>P</i><0.05), while there was no significant different among 3, 6mo and 1a after surgery in each group in TBUT, SⅠt and OSDI(<i>P</i>>0.05). Also there was no significant different between CAT group and LACT group in each time in TBUT, SⅠt and OSDI(<i>P</i>>0.05).<p>CONCLUSION:Both CAT and LCAT could effectively treat primary pterygium with low and similar recurrence rate, and the degree of improvement of tear film after primary pterygium operation is similar between the two surgical methods.

Differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters of primary and recurrent pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Pterygium is a common conjunctival disease which is mainly attributed to chronic ultraviolet light exposure. Previous studies have focused primarily on the clinical characteristics, surgical management and the pathogenesis of pterygium, but the differences between primary pterygium and recurrent pterygium have been less frequently documented. This article reviews the differences in clinical manifestations, histopathological findings, and laboratory parameters between primary pterygium and recurrent pterygium and summarises the latest findings regarding these differences.

Early postoperative outcomes of pterygium surgery: Sutures versus autogenous serum in-situ fixation of limbal conjunctival autograft.

Limbal Conjunctival Autograft Transplantation (LCAT) is considered to be the most effective treatment option for pterygium with the least recurrence rate and rapid restoration of normal epithelial morphology. Of the many available methods for securing Limbal Conjunctival Autograft (LCAG), sutures and autogenous serum in-situ are cost-effective and offers better outcomes. AIM: To compare the outcome of surgeries between the two groups: Group I - LCAG secured with autogenous serum in-situ versus Group II - LCAG secured with sutures. MAIN METHODS: A prospective randomized control trial conducted on 60 patients who were equally divided into two groups. Post-operative follow-up visits were scheduled at 1st week, 3rd week and 6th week. They were examined for pain, foreign body sensation, subconjunctival hemorrhage, tearing, hyperemia, graft edema, graft displacement, graft retraction, recurrence and/or any other complications and were graded depending on the severity. Mean surgical time was compared between the two groups. KEY FINDINGS: Average duration of surgery was significantly less in Group I than in Group II. Postoperatively, symptoms like pain, foreign body sensation, tearing and hyperemia were less common in Group I, furthermore subconjunctival hemorrhage and graft edema were more in Group II. SIGNIFICANCE: Though both the procedures are safe and effective, the use of autogenous serum in-situ significantly shortens the duration of surgery and is accompanied by lesser postoperative discomfort and inflammation. However, long-term studies are needed to assess the risk of recurrence. Graft displacement remains a severe, but infrequent complication.

Continuous exposure of nicotine and cotinine retards human primary pterygium cell proliferation and migration.

Pterygium is a triangular-shaped hyperplastic growth, characterized by conjunctivalization, inflammation, and connective tissue remodeling. Our previous meta-analysis found that cigarette smoking is associated with a reduced risk of pterygium. Yet, the biological effect of cigarette smoke components on pterygium has not been studied. Here we reported the proliferation and migration properties of human primary pterygium cells with continuous exposure to nicotine and cotinine. Human primary pterygium cells predominantly expressed the α5, ß1, and γ subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Continuous exposure to the mixture of 0.15 µM nicotine and 2 µM cotinine retarded pterygium cell proliferation by 16.04% (P = 0.009) and hindered their migration by 11.93% ( P = 0.039), without affecting cell apoptosis. SNAIL and α-smooth muscle actin protein expression was significantly downregulated in pterygium cells treated with 0.15 µM nicotine-2 µM cotinine mixture by 1.33- ( P = 0.036) and 1.31-fold ( P = 0.001), respectively. Besides, the 0.15 µM nicotine-2 µM cotinine mixture also reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-9 expressions in pterygium cells by 1.56- ( P = 0.043) and 1.27-fold ( P = 0.012), respectively. In summary, this study revealed that continuous exposure of nicotine and cotinine inhibited human primary pterygium cell proliferation and migration in vitro by reducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and MMP protein expression, partially explaining the lower incidence of pterygium in cigarette smokers.

Comparison of fibrin glue and sutureless autologous conjunctival flap fixation in the treatment of pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To compare the outcome in terms of patients comfort, graft stability, graft inflammation, recurrence and other postoperative complications between the two sizes of conjunctivolimbal autograft used in fibrin glue and suture less glue free methods of conjunctivolimbal autograft fixation for primary pterygium surgery.<p>METHODS: This was a prospective interventional comparative study conducted on 80 patients(80 eyes)with pterygium from December 2014 to August 2016. The study group was randomly selected and divided into two groups, <i>i.e.</i> people underwent fibrin glue was group 1, and those underwent suture less glue free methods of autograft fixation was group 2. For each group equal numbers of subjects were enrolled and further each group was divided into two more groups(groups A and B in group 1, groups C and D in group 2)by random selection. Group A(size of autograft same as bare sclera)and group B(size 1 mm larger than bare sclera)received fibrin glue technique; and group C(size of autograft same as bare sclera)and group D(size 1 mm larger than bare sclera)received suture less glue free technique of conjunctival autograft fixation. Each patient underwent pterygium excision with size of conjunctival autograft used as per the respective group. Follow up visits were scheduled at 1d, 1wk, 6wk, 6mo and 1y postoperatively.<p>RESULTS: Mean age of the patients in group 1(Fibrin glue group)was 43.525 years old and in group 2(suture less glue free group)was 42.2 years old. Females were 60 and males were 20. All the 37 patients had pterygium in RE. Average surgical time was similar in all the four groups. Postoperative parameters like patient comfort, graft retraction, graft inflammation and graft edema were similar in all the four groups during every postoperative follow-up visits except for subconjunctival haemorrhage which was significantly more in fibrin glue group until first postoperative week(<i>P</i><0.0001). Grade 4 graft retraction/displacement was observed in only three patients from group 2. At 1wk postoperative, graft cyst was observed in two patients(one in group A and one in group D). Recurrence was observed in two patients(in group D)at 6mo follow-up.<p>CONCLUSION: Both methods are safe and effective for graft adhesion with less postoperative discomfort and complications. Compared to fibrin glue method, suture less and glue free method is very economical and outcome in this method is comparable to fibrin glue group. Since this procedure is cost effective and also have all the advantages of fibrin glue, suture less glue free method can be considered as very effective method in treating patients.

Optimal size of pterygium excision for limbal conjunctival autograft using fibrin glue in primary pterygia.

BACKGROUND: In our study we describe a method that optimizes size of excision and autografting for primary pterygia along with the use of intraoperative MMC and fibrin glue. Our objective is to propose a simple, optimizedpterygium surgical technique with excellent aesthetic outcomes and low rates of recurrence and otheradverse events. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 78 consecutive patients with stage III primary pterygia who underwent an optimal excision technique by three experienced surgeons. The technique consisted of removal of the pterygium head, excision of the pterygium body and Tenon's layer limited in proportion to the length of the head, application of intraoperative mitomycin C to the defect, harvest of superior bulbar limbal conjunctival graft, adherence of graft with fibrin glue. Outcomes included operative time, follow up period, pterygium recurrence, occurrences of incorrectly sized grafts, and other complications. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for more than a year. Of the 78 patients, there were 2 cases of pterygium recurrence (2.6%). There was one case of wound dehiscence secondary to small-sized donor conjunctivaand one case of over-sized donor conjunctiva, neither of which required surgical correction. There were no toxic complications associated with the use of mitomycin C. CONCLUSION: Correlating the excision of the pterygium body and underlying Tenon's layer to the length of the pterygium head, along with the use intraoperative mitomycin C, limbal conjunctival autografting, and fibrin adhesionresulted in excellent outcomes with a low rate of recurrence for primary pterygia.

Comparison of hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation and conjunctival autografting for primary pterygium.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation compared with conjunctival autografting for the treatment of primary pterygium. METHODS: One hundred and forty-one eyes from 130 patients with primary pterygium were treated with excision followed by hyperdry amniotic membrane or conjunctival autografting after random selection. Seventy-nine eyes from 71 patients received hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation (HD-AM group), and 62 eyes from 59 patients received conjunctival autografting (CG group). Patients were followed up at one week and one, three, six, and 12 months post-surgery. Recurrence rate, postoperative complications, and final follow-up patient visits were prospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 12.56 ± 4.35 months in the HD-AM group and 12.85 ± 3.90 months in the CG group. Recurrences were detected in four eyes (5.06%) in the HD-AM group and 13 eyes (20.97%) in the CG group. A statistically significant difference in frequency of recurrence between the two groups (P = 0.003) was observed. The cumulative non-recurrence rates at six and 12 months in all patients stratified by age and sex were not significantly different (P = 0.642 and P = 0.451, respectively, by log-rank test). Graft retraction and necrosis were not detected in the two groups during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Hyperdry amniotic membrane transplantation was effective in preventing pterygium recurrence when compared with conjunctival autografting and can be considered a preferable and safe grafting procedure for primary pterygium. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN16900270 , Retrospectively registered (Date of registration: 3 May 2018).

TNF-α and IFN-γin tear of patients with primary pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To study the roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α) , interferon gamma ( IFN-γ) in pathogenesis of primary pterygium and to explore the mechanism of tears in pterygium.?METHODS: Concentrations of TNF-α and interferon gamma IFN - γ were quantified by enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) in asymptomatic control group (30 eyes of 30 healthy volunteers) and 60 primary pterygium patients ( 30 eyes of the 30 progressive cases, 30 eyes of the 30 quiescent cases) . The data was analyzed by analysis of variance.?RESULTS:The concentration of TNF-αand IFN-γin the patients with primary pterygium were statistically significant (P<0. 05), compared with the normal control group. Tear concentration of TNF-α was significantly higher in primary pterygium compared with the control group. Tear concentration of IFN - γ was significantly reduced in primary pterygium compared with the control group (P<0. 05).?CONCLUSION:TNF-α and IFN-γmay be important in the pathogenesis and development of pterygium tissues.It can provide some new directions and ideas for the treatment of primary pterygium.

Expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and Ki67 in the primary pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To research the expressions of B-cell lymphoma gene 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X-protein (Bax) and Ki67 (proliferating cell marker) in the primary pterygium and normal bulbar conjunctiva, to explore the pathogenesis of pterygium. METHODS: Thirty pterygium were surgically removed and 5 normal bulbar conjunctivas were also obtained. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax-embedded tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with Bcl - 2, Bax, Ki67. RESULTS:The mean positive expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Ki67 in the primary pterygium was 14.73%, 7.00% and 12.73%, respectively 4.00%,6.00% and 0 in normal conjunctiva group. The expression of Bcl-2 and Ki67 in the head of primary pterygium was higher than that of neck and body. CONCLUSION: Bcl-2 and Ki67 have highly expressions in the primary pterygium, the expressions in the head of primary pterygium is the highest, the expressions in normal bulbar conjunctiva is low or no. There is no significant difference in the expression of Bax in the primary pterygium and normal bulbar conjunctiva. Apoptosis imbalance and abnormal proliferation of cells may be one of the mechanisms for the occurrence and development of the primary pterygium.

Clinical effect of limbal conjunctival autograft or amniotic membrane transplantation for the treatment of primary pterygium / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

·AIM:To observe the clinical effect of limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation (LCAT) or amniotic membrane transplantation ( AMT ) in treatment of primary pterygium. ·METHODS:Analysis of 96 cases(96 eyes) with primary pterygium treated at Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 was taken. Depending on the surgical methods, the patients were divided into two groups: excision of pterygium and limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation being performed in LCAT group (46 cases,46 eyes); excision of pterygium and amniotic membrane transplantation being performed in AMT group (50 cases, 50 eyes). Two groups were followed-up for 12mo to compare the operation time, the corneal epithelium repair time, postoperative complications and the recurrence rate. ·RESULTS:The operation time of LCAT and AMT group was 33. 83 ± 1. 65min, 23. 60 ± 1. 51min respectively, the LCAT group was higher than the AMT group (t=-31.683, P<0.001). The corneal epithelium repair time of LCAT and AMT group was 4.04±0.95d,4.67±1.18d respectively, the LCAT group was lower than the AMT group (t=-2.922,P=0.004); 1 case was recurred in LCAT group, 3 cases were recurred in AMT group. The recurrence rate was 2% in LCAT group and 6% in AMT group, but it hadn't show a significant statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0. 618). One case of conjunctival granuloma was observed in 2wk after surgery of LCAT group, but no serious complications were observed in AMT group. · CONCLUSION: Limbal conjunctival autograft transplantation and amniotic membrane transplantation are effective and safe methods to primary pterygium, which have advantages of rapid recovery, fewer complications and the lower recurrence rate.

Preoperative subconjunctival combined injection of bevacizumab and mitomycin C before the surgical excision of primary pterygium: clinical and histological results.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to detect the clinical and histological effects of preoperative subconjunctival injection of both bevacizumab and mitomycin C (MMC) 1 month before the surgical excision of primary pterygium using a bare sclera technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with primary pterygium underwent subconjunctival combined injection of 0.1 mL of MMC (0.1 mg/mL) and 0.1 mL of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.1 mL) 1 month before bare sclera excision of the pterygium. The excised pterygium tissues were examined histologically and immunohistologically by CD31 staining, and the patients were followed up clinically for at least 2 years. The excised pterygia of two patients without preoperative injection were used for histological comparison. RESULTS: Clinically, there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. No recurrence was noted during the follow-up period. Histologically, the previously injected pterygia showed a decreased number of epithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts. The latter were rounded or oval and swollen rather than spindle shaped, and some were degenerating or apoptotic. Collagen and elastic fibers were degenerated, distorted, and decreased in density, while blood capillaries were obliterated. There was a significant decrease in CD31-positive cells in previously injected pterygia. CONCLUSION: Preoperative subpterygium combined injection of bevacizumab and MMC is safe and effective in reducing the postoperative recurrence of primary pterygium. Histological and immunohistological changes in the form of decreased fibrovascular activity and degeneration of the extracellular matrix and nerve axons were noted.