Effect of Pterygium Surgery on Corneal Regular and Irregular Astigmatism: Evaluation with Fourier Analysis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pterygium surgery on corneal regular and irregular astigmatism with fourier analysis of corneal topography data. Material-Methods: This is prospective, nonrandomized and a comparative (self-controlled) study. Twenty eyes of 20 patients with primary pterygium extending at least 3 mm on to the cornea were included in the study. All patients underwent pterygium excision using conjunctival-limbal autograft transplantation and application of diamond burr for corneal smoothing. Corrected visual acuity and corneal topography measurements of patients were taken before and at least 1 month after the surgery. Pre- and postoperative fourier analysis of corneal topography data: spherical power, regular astigmatism, asymmetry, higher order irregularity values and corrected visual acuities were compared by using paired samples t-test. Results: The mean corrected visual acuity was 0,58 +/- 0,25 preoperatively and 0,89 +/- 0,14 postoperatively (p=0,000). Regular astigmatism, asymmetry and higher order irregularity components of fourier analysis were significantly decreased and corneal spherical power was increased at both central 3mm and 6 mm zone (p<0,05). Conclusion: Pterygium surgery with diamond burr application for corneal smoothing, significantly improves the fourier analysis components of corneal topography data.