Changes in Visual Field Indices after Pterygium Surgery

OBJECTIVES: This study was a prospective evaluation of changes in the results of visual field tests taken before and after pterygium excision. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center study. Seventy-five eyes of 75 patients who had undergone pterygium excision with autograft implantation were enrolled. All of the patients had stage III pterygium according to the Johnston classification. The mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and visual field index (VFI) global index changes after pterygium excision were compared to evaluate the effect of pterygium on visual field analysis. RESULTS: The mean preoperative MD value was -3.04±2.63 dB (range: -14.84–0.62 dB) and the mean postoperative MD value was -1.83±2.09 dB (range: -13.82–1.74 dB) (p<0.001). The mean preoperative PSD value was 2.59±1.92 dB (range: 1.16–12.76 dB) and the mean postoperative PSD value was 2.41±1.62 dB (1.15–13.29 dB) (p>0.05). The mean preoperative VFI value was 96.01±4.46% (range: 68–100%) and the mean postoperative VFI value was 96.28±4.18% (range: 70–100%) (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: After pterygium excision, the MD improved significantly. However, the PSD and VFI did not change significantly. The significant change in MD value was related to the reduction in corneal light scattering, contrast sensitivity, aberrations, and blockage on the optic axis.