DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i12.050

Pages: 2950-2956

Background: Pterygium is a common ocular surface disease that can impair vision through induced astigmatism and corneal encroachment. Among the various surgical options, conjunctival autograft and intraoperative Mitomycin-C (MMC) are widely used, but their comparative impact on postoperative visual outcomes and complications remains inadequately explored. Methods: This prospective study included patients undergoing primary pterygium surgery in two groups: Group A (conjunctival autograft) and Group B (MMC). Visual acuity, pterygium grading, postoperative symptoms and complications were assessed preoperatively and at multiple follow-up intervals from the first postoperative day to the sixth postoperative month. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age was significantly lower in Group A than Group B (36.77 ± 10.05 vs. 42.66 ± 10.31 years, p=0.018). Preoperative pterygium grading showed no significant difference between the groups (p=0.606). Visual acuity improved progressively in both groups, with 37.1% of Group A and 28.6% of Group B achieving 6/6 vision by the sixth postoperative month (p=0.102). Mean visual acuity scores showed a consistent downward trend (improvement) over time in both groups. Symptom scores for congestion and photophobia decreased markedly postoperatively, though a slight rise at the sixth month was more pronounced in the MMC group. Postoperative complications were significantly higher in Group B (54.3%) than Group A (11.5%), with itching and delayed wound healing being most common. Conclusion: Both procedures improved visual outcomes, but conjunctival autograft demonstrated superior safety with markedly fewer complications.