Epidemiology and recurrence rate of pterygium post excision in Ghanaians.

Objectives: To determine the epidemiology and recurrence rate of pterygium after excision using bare sclera technique.
Design: Prospective non-comparative study.
Setting: Ophthalmology unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Methods: The study involved 60 consecutive patients with primary apterygial from July 1998 to December 2000 who had bare sclera excision after informed consent. They were post-operatively followed up for 30-months.
Results: Thirty-five patients (58%) were females. The patients' ages ranged from 17-75 years, mean (±12.6). Overall recurrence was 22(37%). The main complications encountered include were granuloma 20 %(n=12), restriction in medial rectus muscle motility 2(3%), persistent vascularisation at excision site 2(3%) and adherence leucoma with uveitis 1(2%). No significant association was found between recurrence and pterygium morphology, calcification, allergy and occupation (indoor or outdoor).
Conclusion: The recurrence rate after pterygium excision using bare sclera technique in Ghanaians is high (37%).