Effect of orbital protrusion and vertical interpalpebral distance on pterygium formation

PurposeTo evaluate the risk factors in the development of pterygium in the Marmara region of Turkey as well as the efficacy of vertical interpalpebral distance, protrusion level and tear function in the development of pterygium.Materials and methodsThe cases were grouped in two as the research group consisted of patients with pterygium and the control group consisted of healthy people. A total of 294 patients with pterygium (108 bilateral, 186 unilateral) and 200 controls were included in the study. All patients and control group underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination, including tear function analysis using tear film breakup time measurement, protrusion level and vertical interpalpebral distance.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found between the bilateral pterygium subgroup and control group in terms of vertical interpalpebral distance and protrusion value (p = 0.733, p = 0.625). When the pterygium eyes and the control group were compared in the unilateral pterygium subgroup, no significant difference was found in terms of vertical interpalpebral distance and protrusion value (p = 0.533, p = 0.209).ConclusionsWhile UV efficiency in pterygium was obvious, protrusion value and vertical interpalpebral distance were not found to be a risk factor in the formation of pterygium.