Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part A (2019)

Objectives: To assess and compare the volume of tear production in adult Nigerians, with and without pterygium. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study. Consecutive adults with pterygium and their age and gender-matched controls were examined. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics and ocular health was completed by each participant. Schirmer’s test 1 assessed the volume of tear production. Results: Three hundred and twelve patients comprising 156 pterygium patients and 156 controls were studied. The age range was 30-65 years with a mean age of 43.9 ± 8.4 years. The mean Schirmer’s value was 22.2 ± 9.3 mm in pterygium patients and 23.7 ± 9.0 mm in the controls (p= 0.03). The mean Schirmer’s value was reduced in cases with bilateral pterygia compared to their age and gender-matched controls although the difference was not significant (t= -1.36, p=0.365). Conclusions: Tear production is reduced in pterygium eyes compared to eyes without pterygium. This may eventually lead to symptomatic dry eye disease. Prophylactic use of ocular lubricants is recommended for pterygium patients to enhance ocular hygiene and comfort.