Comparison of Clinical Features of Lid Margin and Tear Film Changes between Normal and Primary Pterygium Patients

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The goal of this study was to clinically evaluate meibomian glands and tear function changes in patients with primary pterygium. Methods: Combinations of normal (n = 100) and primary pterygium (n = 100) participants without ocular pathologies were selected from patients who visited an ophthalmology clinic. Comprehensive assessment includes the ocular surface disease index, meibomian gland expression, lid margin abnormalities, tear break-up time and Schirmer's test scores were evaluated. Multiple tear meniscus values includes the lower tear meniscus height, tear meniscus depth and tear meniscus area were also measured using time-domain ocular coherence tomography. Comparative analyses between groups were performed for all parameters. A statistical significance level of P < 0.05 was considered. Association of ocular surface disease index with lid margin abnormality scores, meibomian gland expression and tear break-up time were examined. Results: Ocular surface disease index, lid margin abnormality and meibomian gland expression scores were significantly higher in primary pterygium patients than in controls (P < 0.001). However, tear break-up time scores, Schirmer's test scores, the lower tear meniscus height, tear meniscus depth and tear meniscus area values did not revealed a significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Correlation analysis demonstrated that lid margin abnormality, meibomian gland expression and tear break-up time were significantly correlated with ocular surface disease index scores (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Pterygium may cause alteration of meibomian glands, which is associated with ocular discomfort. Early detection of meibomian gland changes seems to be important to understand the relationship between pterygium, tear film functions and changes of the ocular surface.