Prospective Study: Utility of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography to Identify Predictive Factors of Recurrence in Pterygium Surgery

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to determine, by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), the anatomical characteristics, both preoperatively and postoperatively, that correlate with a higher rate of pterygium recurrence after surgery with exeresis and conjunctival autograft with biological glue. Methods: A total of 50 eyes which were listed for primary pterygium surgery at an ophthalmology tertiary centre were treated with standard pterygium excision and a conjunctival autograft with tissue glue. Ten variables were measured with AS-OCT (Casia 2; Tomey Corp., Nagoya, Japan) during six control visits with all patients. Finally, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (SPSS stadistics®, IBM®, version 21.0.0.0) for descriptive variables and R-project (The R foundation©, version 3.0.2) for the rest of the analyses, including a descriptive analysis and an inferential analysis studying prognostic factors of recurrence and their predictive capacity. Results: Among the 50 patients who underwent surgery, recurrence was detected in 8 cases (rate 16%; 95% CI: 5.8–26.2%). Most cases (n = 6) were detected 3 months after surgery. The pattern of recurrences was atrophic in two thirds of the cases; none required reintervention. Preoperative total conjunctival thickness at 3 mm was significantly increased in patients who developed recurrence. One week after surgery, epithelial and stromal thickness at 1 mm and total thickness at 3 mm proved to be useful for predicting recurrence. Both models have significant discriminant capacity. Conclusions: By imaging the graft with AS-OCT preoperatively and 7 days after surgery, the risk of future recurrence can be predicted.