Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Corneal Astigmatic Correction Following Pterygium Excision by Bare Sclera Technique Versus Conjunctival Limbal Autograft: A Prospective Observational Study
- 1Department of Retina, Susrut Eye Foundation and Research Centre, Berhampore, West Bengal, India
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, Mandakini Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranaghat, Nadia, West Bengal, India
- 3Department of Community Medicine, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, Rampurhat, West Bengal, India
Abstract
Background: Pterygium excision reconstitutes corneal topography and may reduce induced astigmatism, yet whether the magnitude of correction differs meaningfully between surgical techniques and pterygium grades remains insufficiently characterised. Aims and Objectives: To compare astigmatism reduction following bare sclera technique (BST) versus conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAG) across four pterygium grades in a prospective cohort. Study Design: Prospective observational comparative study. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: One hundred and ninety-two adults with primary pterygium were allocated to BST (n = 96) or CLAG (n = 96). Grade was assigned per Verma et al. (Grade 1: 0–2 mm; Grade 2: 2–4 mm; Grade 3: 4–6 mm; Grade 4: 6–8 mm corneal encroachment from the limbus). Pre-operative and three-month post-operative keratometry (K1, K2) and corneal astigmatism were recorded. Statistics: Within-group comparisons employed the paired t-test; between-group comparisons employed the independent t-test; p<0.05 denoted significance. Results: Pre-operative astigmatism was comparable between groups (BST 3.37±2.38 D; CLAG 3.52±2.55 D; p>0.05). Both techniques significantly reduced astigmatism at three months (p<0.001 each). Post-operative values were 1.75±1.42 D (BST) and 1.08±0.83 D (CLAG). Grade-stratified between-group analysis revealed equivalence in Grades 1 (p=0.273) and 2 (p=0.368), but CLAG conferred superior correction in Grade 3 (t=−2.32; p=0.027) and Grade 4 (t=−3.77; p=0.0007). Conclusion: CLAG confers statistically superior astigmatic correction over BST in Grade 3 and Grade 4 pterygium, while both techniques perform equivalently in early-grade disease. Grade-stratified surgical planning is recommended for optimal refractive outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{chattopadhyay2026comparative,
title = {{Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Corneal Astigmatic Correction Following Pterygium Excision by Bare Sclera Technique Versus Conjunctival Limbal Autograft: A Prospective Observational Study}},
author = {Saubhik Chattopadhyay and Anil Kumar Ghanta and Ophelia Mukherjee},
journal = {GAIMS Journal of Medical Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.23554517},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23554517},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Corneal Astigmatic Correction Following Pterygium Excision by Bare Sclera Technique Versus Conjunctival Limbal Autograft: A Prospective Observational Study
AU - Saubhik Chattopadhyay
AU - Anil Kumar Ghanta
AU - Ophelia Mukherjee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - GAIMS Journal of Medical Sciences
DO - 10.5281/zenodo.23554517
UR - https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23554517
AB - Background: Pterygium excision reconstitutes corneal topography and may reduce induced astigmatism, yet whether the magnitude of correction differs meaningfully between surgical techniques and pterygium grades remains insufficiently characterised. Aims and Objectives: To compare astigmatism reduction following bare sclera technique (BST) versus conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAG) across four pterygium grades in a prospective cohort. Study Design: Prospective observational comparative study. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: One hundred and ninety-two adults with primary pterygium were allocated to BST (n = 96) or CLAG (n = 96). Grade was assigned per Verma et al. (Grade 1: 0–2 mm; Grade 2: 2–4 mm; Grade 3: 4–6 mm; Grade 4: 6–8 mm corneal encroachment from the limbus). Pre-operative and three-month post-operative keratometry (K1, K2) and corneal astigmatism were recorded. Statistics: Within-group comparisons employed the paired t-test; between-group comparisons employed the independent t-test; p<0.05 denoted significance. Results: Pre-operative astigmatism was comparable between groups (BST 3.37±2.38 D; CLAG 3.52±2.55 D; p>0.05). Both techniques significantly reduced astigmatism at three months (p<0.001 each). Post-operative values were 1.75±1.42 D (BST) and 1.08±0.83 D (CLAG). Grade-stratified between-group analysis revealed equivalence in Grades 1 (p=0.273) and 2 (p=0.368), but CLAG conferred superior correction in Grade 3 (t=−2.32; p=0.027) and Grade 4 (t=−3.77; p=0.0007). Conclusion: CLAG confers statistically superior astigmatic correction over BST in Grade 3 and Grade 4 pterygium, while both techniques perform equivalently in early-grade disease. Grade-stratified surgical planning is recommended for optimal refractive outcomes.
SN - 2583-1763
ER -