Pterygium surgery in Victoria: a survey of ophthalmologists.

Aim: To determine the surgical approaches and adjunctive therapy es currently used by Victorian ophthalmologists for the treatment of primary and recurrent pterygia.
Method: Ophthalmologists practising in Victoria were asked to complete a written survey relating to their experience with pterygium surgery.
Results: Responses were received from 142 of 165 ophthalmologists surveyed (86%). Of these, 107 (75%) had performed at least one pterygium operation during the preceding 2 years. Excision followed by beta irradiation was the most commonly performed procedure for both primary (57%) and recurrent (35%) pterygia. The next most commonly performed procedure for primary pterygia was excision leaving bare sclera (15%) and, for recurrent pterygia, excision with autologous conjunctival transplantation (26%). Considerable variation was observed in surgical technique, choice of adjunctive therapy, postoperative care and in the surgeons' estimates of the frequency of major complications.
Conclusion: Although there is little consensus regarding the surgical management of pterygium, beta irradiation remains the most commonly used adjunctive therapy in Victoria.