Dear Editor

We read with interest for the article by Raiskup et al. on the long term evaluation on mitomycin C (MMC) for pterygium.[1] It seems that the usage MMC in pterygium surgery is relatively safe in the long term.

Overdosge of MMC eyedrops may be associated with potential serous side effects such as corneal perforation.[2] In this regards, we would like to point out a major typo in the Abstract. The dosage of the MMC eyedrops should be 0.01% or 0.02% instead of 1% or 2%. Besides, we would be appreciative if the authors could clarify the duration of MMC eyedrops that was given postoperatively, whether it is a 2-week course as described in the Abstract or a 5-day course as described in the Patients and Methods.

Since a single intraoperative application of MMC and post operative MMC eyedrops are equally effective, it seems that the former is the treatment of choice as it is easier to administer and there is no compliance issue.

Finally, the authors also suggested that at present, they advise the use of MMC at a concentration of 0.02% intraoperatively for 3 minutes. This, however, according to our experience, is associated with a higher recurrence rate as compared with 0.02 % for 5 minutes (42.9% vs 8.3%).[2]

References

1. Raiskup F, Solomon A, Landau D, Ilsar M, Frucht-Pery J. Mitomycin C for pterygium: long term evaluation. Br J Ophthalmol. 2004;88:1425-8.

2. Lam DS, Wong AK, Fan DS, Chew S, Kwok PS, Tso MO. Intraoperative mitomycin C to prevent recurrence of pterygium after excision: a 30-month follow-up study. Ophthalmology. 1998;105:901-4