Comparison of inferior conjunctival autografting and conjunctival tissue grafting from pterygium itself in the cases of filtering blebs and glaucoma suspects-A retrospective analysis

PURPOSE: This study aims at comparing the effectiveness of inferior conjunctival autografting (CAG) and conjunctival tissue grafting from pterygium itself (CTG) in the cases of filtering blebs/glaucoma suspects. METHODS: One hundered and five eyes of 97 patients who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting (CAG) in the period from 2010 to 2016 were included. Fifty one eyes had filtering blebs and 54 were glaucoma suspects. Fifty two eyes of 49 patients (Group 1) had undergone pterygium excision with inferior conjunctival autograft (CAG) and 53 eyes of 48 patients (Group 2) had undergone pterygium excision with conjunctival tissue graft (CTG) from the pterygium itself. The minimum follow up period was 6 months. RESULTS: Both groups had 2 eyes with recurrence, which was not statistically significant. Among other complications, graft retraction was seen with a higher incidence in Group 2, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In situations where sparing of the superior conjunctiva is mandatory, both the techniques of inferior conjunctival autografting and conjunctival tissue graft from the pterygium itself are excellent alternate options with comparable outcomes and no additional risk of significant complications.