Factors associated with pterygium based on history and clinical examination of patients in Pakistan

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with Pterygium, utilizing history and examination. METHODS: In this prospective case series study, a total of 1227 patients with Pterygium presenting at the Department of Ophthalmology, Chandka Medical College Hospital Larkana, Pakistan, from January 1997 to January 2015 were included. A standard proforma containing proposed risk factors was filled in for every patient. Clinical examination was performed on slit-lamp biomicroscope to confirm presence of pterygium. RESULTS: Out of the total 1227 patients, 656 (53.46%) were males, and 571 (46.54%) were females. Mean age ± standard deviation was 53.12 years ± 15.85 years, and the age range was 20–79 years. 1063 (86.63%) patients belonged to areas with hot and dry weather, 421 (34.31%) patients had a positive family history for Pterygium, 740 (60.31%) patients had history of previous exposure to toxic chemicals, and 364 (29.67%) patients had dry eye. CONCLUSION: This study points towards the simultaneous role of multiple risk factors including sun exposure, hot climate, toxic material exposure, familial transmission, and dry eye in association with pterygium.