A prospective randomised controlled trial of beta radiation, mitomycin C and conjunctival transplantation in the surgical management of pterygium

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate four common surgical approaches to the management of pterygium in a single-center, prospective, randomised, controlled trial. Methods. 383 eyes (334 patients) presenting for pterygium surgery have been randomised to one of four treatment groups: EA - excision alone leaving bare sclera, BR - excision followed by fractionated beta radiation, MC - mitomycin C, and CT - autologous conjunctival transplantation. The BR group received 3 doses of 8.5 Gy at weekly intervals; the MC group received an intraoperative application of 0.02% mitomycin C for 3 minutes. Topical antibiotic and corticosteroids were used for four weeks postoperatively and patients were examined one week, one..