Evaluating the Results of Pterygium Excision with Cryotherapy

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v42i3.2373

Abstract

Purpose:  To evaluate the surgical outcomes, recurrence rates, and safety profile of pterygium excision combined with intraoperative cryotherapy.

Study Design:  Quasi experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study:  Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust – LRBT, Karachibetween October 2024 and December 2025.

Methods:  This study included 56 eyes of 56 patients presenting with primary or recurrent pterygium. All participants underwent surgical excision followed by application of a double freeze-thaw cryotherapy cycle to the scleral bed and exposed sclera was left uncovered for secondary healing. Visual acuity (VA) was assessed pre and postoperatively using Snellen charts and converted to LogMAR for statistical analysis. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months to monitor for recurrencedefined as fibrovascular regrowth >1 mm across the limbus, and other postoperative complications.

Results:  The mean age of the study population was 50.27 ± 14.93 years, with a predominance of male patients (73.2%) and those residing in urban areas (80.4%). The procedure yielded a statistically significant improvement in mean LogMARVA, improving from 0.47 preoperatively to 0.45 at the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001). The recurrence rate was 1.8% (n=1). The safety profile was 91.1%. The most common adverse event was transient inflammation (7.1%), with no incidence of severe complications such as scleral necrosis or granuloma formation.

Conclusion:  Pterygium excision with adjuvant cryotherapy significantly reduces recurrence rates while improving visual outcomes. Given its low complication rate and avoidance of long-term toxicity associated with chemical antimetabolites, cryotherapy represents a valuable adjunctive treatment for ensuring ocular surface stability.