Aim To report the outcome of pterygium surgery performed at a tertiary eye care centre in South India. Methods Retrospective analysis of medical records of 920 patients (989 eyes) with primary and recurrent pterygia operated between January 1988 and December 2001. The demographic variables, surgical technique (bare sclera, primary closure, amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT), conjunctival autograft (CAG), conjunctivallimbal autograft (CLAG), or surgical adjuvants), recurrences and postoperative complications were analysed. Results A total of 496 (53.9%) were male and 69 (7.5%) had bilateral pterygia. Bare sclera technique was performed in 267 (27.0%) eyes, primary conjunctival closure in 32 (3.2%), AMG in 123 (12.4%), CAG in 429 (43.4%), and CLAG in 70 (7.1%). Adjuvant mitomycin C was used in 44 (4.4%) cases. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.9717.0 and 5.978.8 months for unilateral primary and recurrent pterygia, respectively. The overall recurrence rate was 178 (18.0%). Following primary and recurrent unilateral pterygium excision respectively, recurrences were noted in 46 (19.4%) and 1 (33.3%) eyes after bare sclera technique, five (16.7%) and 0 after primary closure, 28 (26.7%) and 0 with AMG, 42 (12.2%) and five (31.3%) with CAG, and nine (17.3%) and two (40%) with CLAG. Recurrences were significantly more in males with primary (23.3 vs 10.7%, Po0.0001) and recurrent (26.7 vs 0%, P ¼ 0.034) pterygia, and in those below 40 years (25.2 vs 14.8%, P ¼ 0.003). Conclusion CAG appears to be an effective modality for primary and recurrent pterygia. Males and patients below 40 years face greater risk of recurrence. Bare sclera technique has an unacceptably high recurrence. Prospective studies comparing CAG, CLAG, and AMG for primary and recurrent pterygia are needed.

To the best of our knowledge, this review presents the epidemiological features and laboratory results of the largest series of fungal keratitis ever reported in the literature. Keratomycosis is predominant in young adults with trauma as the major predisposing factor. With fungal keratitis being a major ophthalmologic problem in the tropical regions of the world, data available on the epidemiological features of a large series would greatly help medical practitioners at primary and secondary health care centers in the management of the disease. A simple KOH preparation of corneal scraping alone is highly beneficial in confirming the diagnosis.

The amniotic membrane, composed of 3 layers, the epithelium, basement membrane, and the stroma, was first used along with the chorion as a biologic membrane to promote healing of skin burns in 1910. In ophthalmology, it was used in 1940 in the management of conjunctival defects. Its revival in the 1990s was due to its ability to reduce ocular surface inflammation and scarring, promote rapid epithelialization due to the presence of growth factors, and antimicrobial properties. This has resulted in its application in several ocular disorders. A review of the literature shows that amniotic membrane is definitely beneficial in some but not all pathology. The future of amniotic membrane transplantation is very exciting, especially in the field of limbal stem cell research. However, further work is needed to elucidate whether it functions merely as a biologic contact lens or whether it has additional benefits.

XDR and PDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis are extremely difficult to treat. Globe salvage was possible in all cases; however, more than half required therapeutic grafts. Close monitoring of patients with known ocular and systemic factors is warranted.

Clinical Trial Registry India (2010/091/003041).