A case–control study of tear film functions in patients with unilateral pterygium at a Tertiary Care Center in Marathwada

Pterygium is a very common ocular surface disorder. Tear film dysfunctions have been reported in subjects with pterygium. We aim to study the correlation between pterygium and dry eye disease in patients with unilateral pterygium. A case–control study of patients with unilateral pterygium was undertaken after ethical clearance from the institutional ethics committee. Eighty-seven patients with unilateral pterygium were included in the study. Tear film break-up time (TBUT), Rose Bengal staining (RBS), and Schirmer’s test 1 were performed in both eyes of the patients. Test results were compared with contralateral normal eye of the same patient. Data were analyzed using t-test and Chi-square test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The tear film function parameters, namely Schirmer 1, TBUT, and RBS in the study group, were statistically different as compared to the control group. The mean of TBUT was 8.19 ± 1.87 s in pterygium eyes and 11.83 ± 1.69 s in contralateral normal eyes. The mean of Schirmer’s 1 was 10.65 ± 3.69 mm in pterygium eyes and 16.37 ± 4.82 mm in contralateral eyes with no pterygium. There was a statistically significant difference in the values of tear film function between eyes with pterygium and contralateral normal eyes.