Abstract:

Aim: To evaluate the frequency of pterygium and pinguecula in patients living in Bolu region and to assess the relationship between advanced age, UV exposure, smoking status, education level, systemic disease and presence of pterygium and pinguecula. Material and Method: This study comprises 1014 patients between 18–80 years of age. Demographic data, including age and sex, occupation, education level, systemic disease, smoking status and UV exposure, are questioned. A comprehensive ophthalmological examination was performed, and the presence of pterygium and pinguecula was evaluated. A p-value under 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results: Among 1014 patients included in this study, 553 patients were in the control group (54.5%); 101 patients had pterygium (9.96%) and 360 patients had pinguecula (35.5%). Three hundred eighty-two patients were men and 632 were women. The mean age of patients was 46.33±15.83 years. Bilaterality was more evident in the pinguecula group compared to the pterygium group (p<0.001). Patients with outdoor occupation were higher in the pterygium and pinguecula group compared to the control group (p<0.001). UV exposure time was significantly different between groups (p<0.001). While UV exposure time was the highest in the pterygium group (median: 3.0, IQR: 0–4.5), it was approximately 2 hours in the pinguecula group (median: 2, IQR: 0–4). Education levels were lower in the pterygium and pinguecula group compared to the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Advanced age, extended UV exposure, outdoor occupation and low education levels are associated with developing pterygium and pinguecula. This cross-sectional study could contribute to prevalence studies with large series that would be held in our country in the future.

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