A hypothesis on the pathogenesis of pterygiums

Ann Ophthalmol. 1978 Mar;10(3):303-8.

Abstract

All true pterygiums are attracted to a specific site at the corneoscleral junction along the 3 to 9 o'clock meridian. The pathogenesis of a pinguecula-pterygium is postulated to be due to a noninfected inflammation at the junction of the conjunctival blood vessels and Bowman's membrane where the autolytic process of inflammation results in a protein degradation amino acid mixture which has the ability of attracting conjunctival blood vessels on the cornea. This amino acid mix is hypothesized to contain a pterygium angiogenesis factor.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / metabolism*
  • Autolysis / metabolism
  • Conjunctiva / metabolism
  • Cornea / metabolism
  • Growth Substances / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membranes / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Pterygium / etiology*
  • Pterygium / metabolism
  • Pterygium / surgery
  • Skin Transplantation

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents
  • Growth Substances