Does pterygium morphology affect corneal astigmatism?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between corneal astigmatism and the morphology of pterygium with anterior segment optic coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Material and methods: The size of pterygium (horizontal length, vertical width) was measured manually; pterygium area and percentage extension of the pterygium onto the cornea were calculated. Anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism, Sim K, K1, K2 were measured using a dual Scheimpflug analyzer. Morphological patterns of the pterygium analyzed with AS-OCT were determined according to the extension of the pterygium apex below the corneal epithelium. Two tomographic patterns were identified: continuous and nodular. Correlation between anterior corneal astigmatism and pterygium size, percentage extension of the pterygium, and morphological pattern of the pterygium was analyzed.

Results: The mean ages of the 47 patients were 49.4 ± 16.6 (22-80) years. Mean horizontal pterygium length, vertical width, pterygium area, and percentage extension of the pterygium were 2.8 ± 1.2 mm, 4.8 ± 1.6 mm, 7.42 ± 5.6 mm² and 24.5 ± 10.4%, respectively. Mean anterior corneal astigmatism was 2.3 ± 2.3 D and simulated keratometry was 43.4 ± 2.02 D. In terms of the morphological pattern of the pterygium, 24 eyes had continuous, 23 eyes had a nodular pattern and the median (interquartile range) anterior corneal astigmatism was 1.87 (1.01-3.80) and 1.22 D (0.58-2.35), respectively (p = 0.102). Other topographic and pterygium size parameters were similar between groups. Analyzing the correlations in groups separately, a positive moderate statistically significant correlation was present between vertical width, percentage extension, pterygium area, and anterior corneal astigmatism in both continuous and nodular groups.

Conclusions: Although not statistically significant, anterior corneal astigmatism was higher in continuous group. Using AS-OCT to standardize the morphology of pterygium could provide additional clinical information.