PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - R Rachmiel AU - H Leiba AU - S Levartovsky TI - Results of treatment with topical mitomycin C 0.02% following excision of primary pterygium. AID - 10.1136/bjo.79.3.233 DP - 1995 Mar 01 TA - British Journal of Ophthalmology PG - 233--236 VI - 79 IP - 3 4099 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/79/3/233.short 4100 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/79/3/233.full SO - Br J Ophthalmol1995 Mar 01; 79 AB - AIMS--The effectiveness of instillation of mitomycin C eyedrops on the recurrence rate of pterygium was assessed in patients undergoing primary pterygium surgery. Any side effects were also noted. METHODS--Primary pterygia in 38 consecutive patients were surgically excised during July to December 1992. After surgery, mitomycin C 0.02% eyedrops twice daily for 5 days as well as dexamethasone 0.1% four times tapered for the next 6 weeks were instilled. Postoperative follow up ranged from 6 to 11 months. RESULTS--In one patient the pterygium recurred after 3 months (recurrence rate 2.6%). The side effects encountered were: avascularised sclera in 13 cases between 1-10 months postoperatively; ocular discomfort and lacrimation in five cases; superficial punctate keratitis during the first month in three cases; pyogenic granuloma in two cases. In one patient steroid induced increased intraocular pressure was found 4 weeks after surgery. The adverse side effects were all mild, self limiting, and easily treated. CONCLUSION--This study suggests that postoperative instillation of mitomycin C 0.02% eyedrops twice daily for 5 days following excision of primary pterygium is an effective and safe treatment to obviate pterygium recurrence.