Refractive changes after pterygium surgery

Abstract Purpose To study the relationship between pterygium size (extension, width) and corneal astigmatism in eyes with unilateral primary pterygium. To evaluate the effect of successful pterygium surgery on corneal topography Methods Computerized corneal topography was performed on 105 eyes with pterygium before and 3 months after successful excision and limbo‐conjunctival autograft surgery. Results The degree of corneal astigmatism significantly correlated with the extension of pterygium on the cornea. With‐the‐rule astigmatism was the more frecuently finding. Conclusion Corneal topographic changes caused by the pterygium are almost reversible after surgical treatment. Successful pterygium surgery significantly reduces topographic astigmatism, SRI, SAI, and corneal flattening. However, precise prediction of these refractive changes is not always accurate.