A Comparison of Precorneal Tear Film Pre and Post Pterygium Surgery
Kosol Kampitak MD*, Wanwisa Tansiricharernkul MD*, Wichai Leelawongtawun MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathumthani, Thailand
Background : Precorneal tear film was altered in pterygium eye and may be improved after pterygium removal.
Objective : To compare Schirmer’s test results and tear breakup time before and after pterygium surgery.
Material and Method: Forty patients, aged between 30 and 77 years were enrolled in this study; one pterygium surgery eye
was observed per patient. A paired t-test was used to compare Schirmer’s test results and tear breakup time pre pterygium
excision and one-month post-operation.
Results : There were no statistically significant differences in Schirmer’s test results and tear breakup time between pre and
one-month post-operation. The mean + standard deviations of Schirmer’s test results before and one-month after pterygium
surgery were 9.2+4.3 and 10.0+6.3 millimeters, respectively (p = 0.30), and those results for tear breakup time were 7.5+3.0
and 7.9+3.1 seconds, respectively (p = 0.44).
Conclusion : Pterygium removal may not have any effect on Schirmer’s test results and tear breakup time one-month post-
surgery.
Keywords : Pterygium surgery, Precorneal tear film, Tear breakup time, Schirmer’s test
