Simultaneous treatment of pterygium complicated with conjunctivochalasis: analysis of pterygium excision and conjunctival autotransplantation combined with sclera fixation

BACKGROUND: This prospective study investigated the safety and efficacy of a therapeutic method of treating pterygium complicated with conjunctivochalasis, using pterygium excision and conjunctival autotransplantation combined with sclera fixation, followed by therapeutic contact lens application. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients (83 eyes) diagnosed as pterygium complicated with conjunctivochalasis, at our hospital from July 2011 to June 2012, were selected. Patients were treated with pterygium excision and conjunctival autotransplantation combined with sclera fixation surgery, then therapeutic bandage contact lenses were applied. The efficacy of simultaneous surgery was evaluated based on vision changes, tear dynamics, and other complications. Histopathological changes were investigated on removed bulbar conjunctival tissue, using hematoxylin eosin (HE) and Masson’s trichrome staining. RESULTS: (1) Three months after the operation, the success of simultaneous surgery in the treatment of pterygium was 97.6 %, and the recurrence was 2.4 %. Based on subjective evaluation, the success of the simultaneous treatment of conjunctivochalasis was 95.2 %, and failure was 4.8 %. Based on objective evaluation, the success rate was 94.0 % and the recurrence rate was 6.0 %. (2) Visual acuity of the 83 eyes was significantly improved after surgery, and was statistically significant (X(2) = 10.29, P < 0.05). (3) Three months after surgery, the height and integrity of the tear meniscus, tear film break-up time, and chloramphenicol test results of the 83 eyes were significantly improved and there was a statistically significant difference (X(2) the height and integrity of tear meniscus = 147.24, X(2) tear film break-up time = 81.17, X(2) chloramphenicol test = 17.41, P < 0.01). (4) Complications after the operation such as granulation hyperplasia, constrictive fornix, oculomotor defect, and other complications were not observed. (5) Pathological observations, using HE and Masson’s trichrome staining of removed bulbar conjunctival tissue, showed several pathological changes, including obvious squamous epithelial hyperplasia, parakeratosis, basal cell pigmentation, lamina propria hemorrhage, infiltration of lymphocytes, and reduction of elastic fibers and collagen fibers. CONCLUSION: Pterygium excision and conjunctival autotransplantation, combined with sclera fixation followed by therapeutic contact lens use was safe, effective, and suitable for simultaneous treatment of pterygium complicated with conjunctivochalasis.