Effect of pterygium excision on induced corneal topographic abnormalities.
To determine the effect of successful pterygium surgery on astigmatism and other corneal topographic indices. Preoperative and postoperative refraction and corneal-topography analysis were performed on 16 consecutive eyes of 12 patients who underwent successful pterygium surgery, with statistical comparison of the pre- and postoperative visual acuity, refractive astigmatism, topographic astigmatism, Surface-Regularity Index, and Surface-Asymmetry Index. Successful pterygium surgery caused statistically significant improvements in visual acuity, refractive and topographic astigmatism, the Surface-Regularity Index, and the surface asymmetry index. Corneal-topography analysis is an important component of the evaluation of patients with pterygium, revealing significant abnormalities that are improved by successful removal of the pterygium.