Scleral Contact Lenses versus Sutures: A Comparative Study of Outcomes Following Pterygium Excision Surgery

Abstract Background: The formation of fibrovascular tissue on the conjunctiva is the hallmark of pterygium, a common ocular disorder that frequently causes discomfort and visual abnormalities. The main treatment is surgical excision; however, recurrence is still a major worry. In this study, the effectiveness of sutures and scleral contact lenses as post-pterygium excision surgical adjuncts is compared. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness and outcomes of using scleral contact lenses versus sutures following pterygium excision surgery. Material and Methods: Thirty individuals undergoing pterygium excision participated in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: In group A, a scleral contact lens was placed after pasting the graft on the recipient site, while in group B, the graft was sutured. Recurrence rates, visual acuity, patient-reported comfort, and complications during a 6-month follow-up period were among the outcomes evaluated. Results: In comparison to sutures, the study discovered that scleral contact lenses dramatically decreased recurrence rates. With a mean visual analogue scale score of 2.5 compared to 4.2 for the suture group, patients who used scleral lenses reported less pain following surgery. Furthermore, compared to 66.7% in the suture group, 80% of scleral lens patients reported a significant increase in visual acuity. After pterygium excision surgery, scleral lenses had less complications, suggesting that they might be more advantageous than standard sutures. Conclusion: After pterygium excision surgery, scleral contact lenses seem to offer better results than typical sutures in terms of recurrence rates and patient comfort. According to these results, scleral lenses might be a useful adjuvant in the surgical treatment of pterygium, which calls for more research into their long-term impacts and wider applicability.