Prevalence of Pterygium and its Socio-demographic Determinants among Patients visiting a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: Pterygium is a benign fibrovascular degeneration of the subconjunctival tissue of the bulbar conjunctiva. It is associated with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, dry climates, and outdoor activities. In India, the prevalence of pterygium is approximately 7%, increasing to 25% with advancing age. It is anatomically and morphologically classified into various grades, yet detailed age-based and morphological studies are limited.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of pterygium, its distribution across different age groups, and its grading among patients attending the ophthalmic outpatient department (OPD) of a rural tertiary care hospital in Northern Maharashtra, India.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included all patients visiting the ophthalmic OPD during the study period. A total of 278 patients with various ocular morbidities underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations of both eyes. The prevalence of pterygium was determined, and its socio-demographic and anatomical characteristics were analyzed.
Results: Among 278 patients, 75 (27%) were diagnosed with pterygium, with a male predominance of 45 (60%) compared to 31 (40%) females. Age-wise distribution revealed that 3% of patients were aged 20–30 years, 10% were 30–40 years, 7% were 40–50 years, 56% were 50–60 years, 17% were 60–70 years, and 1.3% were 70–80 years. Nasal pterygium was the most common anatomical presentation (76%), followed by temporal (18%) and bilateral (5%) cases.
Conclusion: The prevalence of pterygium among patients in this rural setting was high, with a notable male predominance, particularly in elderly individuals engaged in outdoor activities. The findings suggest that prolonged exposure to hot and dry environmental conditions is a significant risk factor. Preventive measures such as the use of protective eyewear during outdoor activities and timely medical interventions are recommended to reduce disease burden.