Evaluation of Ocular Surface Temperature in Patients with Pterygium

Purpose: To investigate ocular surface temperature in eyes with pterygium and dry eye disease. Methods: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients with pterygium (group 1), 18 eyes of 18 patients diagnosed with dry eye disease (group 2), and 22 eyes of 22 healthy subjects with no signs of dry eye (group 3), were included in this prospective study. Schirmer's test I and II, and tear film break up time (BUT) were evaluated. Infrared thermal imaging (Tomey TG 1000, Tomey Corp, Nagoya, Japan) was used to study the temperature of the ocular surface. All measurements were performed by one examiner only. Results: No significant difference in temperature course over ten seconds of eye opening was present between groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.551). However, a significant difference was present between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.001) and between groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.003). Comparing group 1 and group 2, statistically significant differences in Schirmer's test I (p<0.001) and II (p<0.001) and BUT (p = 0.04) were present. There were also significant differences in Schirmer` s test I (p<0.001) and II (p<0.001) and BUT (p<0.001) between group 2 and group 3. No significant difference in Schirmer's test I (p = 0.785) and II (p = 0.871) was present between group 1 and group 3. However, a statistically significant difference in BUT was noted (p<0.001). Conclusion: During sustained eye opening, a significant decrease in corneal surface temperature occurred in eyes with pterygium and dry eye disease. Thermography, in addition to other investigations, might be used to objectively identify dry eye symptoms in patients with pterygium. In addition to cosmetic appearance, increasing astigmatism, and expanding growth towards the center of the cornea, this new supplementary data may help to determine the proper time for intervention.