Evaluation of tear film stability in pterygium & pinguecu

Abstract EN

Objective : to assess the degree of tear film stability in eyes with pingueculae and ptergia in patients from Mosul.

Patients and methods : Case-control study from private clinic and Al-Jamhori Teaching Hospital during a period of one year from Feb.

2009.Tear break-up time were measured in 36 eyes with pterygia, and 37 eyes with pingueculae, compared to control group of 37 eyes.

Results : the mean tear break-up time (TBUT) was 11.1 ± 3.6 sec.

in the eyes with pingueculae & 11.4±6 sec.

in the eyes with pterygium compared to 15±4.5 sec in the control group.

Unstable tear film (TBUT less than 10 secs.) was found in 17 (47.2 %) eyes with pterygia, compared to 13 (35.1 %) eyes with pingueculue and 7 (18.

9%) control eyes.

Unstable tear film was significantly associated with eyes with pterygia.

Conclusion : Unstable tear film is associated more with pterygia than with pingueculae, other factors as environmental and racial ones should be evaluated.