Study of Association of Tear Film Abnormalities in All Grades of Primary Pterygium Cases using Schirmer's Test 1 & 2

Background: One of the frequent ocular disorders affecting people in their middle and advanced years of age is pterygium. It is a benign, proliferative disorder of the conjunctiva and subconjunctival tissue that has the potential to impair vision. Clinical examination can quickly diagnose and stage it. Sunlight exposure is believed to be the most significant element in the development of pterygium. Dry eyes, smoking, prolonged outdoor activity, low socioeconomic position, and high altitudes are additional risk factors. If it grows onto the cornea's centre, a major problem is the obliteration of the visual axis. Another reason for impaired vision is the development of irregular astigmatism brought on by flattening of the cornea in the horizontal meridian.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the association of Tear film abnormalities with all grades of pterygium

Materials and Methods: The current study was a single-center observational study that was conducted out from December 2020 to July 2022 in the ophthalmology division of Sri Siddhartha Medical College hospital and Research Centre, Tumkur, on patients who attended the OPD with primary pterygium, regardless of treatment. According to the study's inclusion criteria, a total of 91 participants who were diagnosed with pterygium were enrolled.

Results: The majority of participants (34.07%) were between the ages of 61 and 70. Pterygium prevalence was higher in females (65.93%) than in males (34.07%) with a 1.96:1 ratio. The majority of the participants (69.23%) had progressive pterygium, followed by regressive pterygium (15.38%) & atrophic pterygium (15.38%). The mean scores of the schirmers tests 1 and 2 in both eyes differed significantly statistically depending on the degree of pterygium (p=0.03).

Conclusions: Pterygium is one of the most common ocular conditions in our nation, primarily affecting people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Pterygium has been linked to tear film abnormalities.

Keywords:  Dry eyes, Pterygium,  Tear Film.