Application of bandage contact lens in pterygium surgery

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of bandage contact lens in pterygium excision surgery.Methods A total of 28 cases(28 eyes) treated with pterygium excision combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation surgery from March 2012 to December 2012 were collected by prospective controlled case study,and were randomly and evenly divided into two groups.Patients in bandage contact lens group weared bandage contact lens from the first to third day after surgery,while patients in the control group did not.The degree of pain after surgery were evaluated at 2 hours,6 hours,24 hours,48 hours and 72 hours after surgery,and the healing of corneal epithelial were assessed by fluorescein staining and differences of the corneal epithelial defect areas were obeserved at 3 days after surgery.Results There was no significant difference between the ages,sexes and pterygium sizes of the two groups(all P0.05).The pain index scores at 2 hours,6 hours,24 hours,48 hours and 72 hours after surgery:the bandage contact lens group were(0.79±0.43)scores,(0.88±0.53)scores,(0.43±0.51)scores,(0.29±0.47)scores,and(0.14±0.36)scores;Control group were(2.57±0.51)scores,(2.57±0.76)scores,(1.86±0.66)scores,(1.43±0.51)scores,and(0.86±0.53)scores.The pain index scores of the bandage contact lens group were significantly less than those of control group(all P0.01).At the third day after surgery,there was no significant difference in corneal epithelial fluorescein staining scores between the control group(1.57±1.34)scores and the bandage contact lens group(0.86±1.10)scores(P=0.135),while the epithelial defect areas of the bandage contact lens group(0.17±0.45)mm2 was statistically smaller than that of the control group(2.68±4.33)mm2(P=0.041).They were followed up from 2 to 6 months,there were no infection,relapse and implant healing badness,and complications like subconjunctival cyst.Conclusion Bandage contact lenses could significantly release pain response after pterygium excision and promote the healing of the corneal epithelium.