Abstract
Purpose::
To use the newly developed technique of ultraviolet fluorescence photography to investigate fluorescence patterns in established pterygia.
Methods::
Fourteen patients were studied at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, Australia. These patients were attending the eye clinic for assessment of their established pterygia, and ranged between 26 and 62 years of age. There were six women and eight men. Standard (or control) photgraphs and ultraviolet fluorescence photographs were taken of the nasal and temporal interpalpebral regions of each eye.
Results::
Twenty pterygia were found in these fourteen patients on standard photography; of these, fifteen were primary and five were recurrent pterygia. Four patterns of fluorescence were identified using ultraviolet fluorescence photography. Fluorescence at the leading edge of the pterygium was seen in six (30%) pterygia, fluorescence at the limbus was seen in seven (35%) pterygia, fluorescence at the leading edge and at the limbus was seen in three (15%) pterygia and no fluorescence was seen in four (20%) pterygia. The only pattern distinguishing between primary and recurrent disease was fluorescence at the leading edge, seen only in primary pterygia.
Conclusions::
We hypothesise that the areas of fluorescence seen represent areas of cellular activity within the pterygium. We describe possible explanations for the different patterns of fluorescence seen and hope that these patterns seen using ultraviolet fluorescence photography may be useful in furthering understanding of pterygium growth and pathogenesis. Note: We would like to advise that the results from this study have been accepted for publication by the American Journal of Ophthalmology in 2007.