Clinical Report: Managing Pterygium with Contact Lenses

Overview

This report discusses the successful management of a 68-year-old male patient with pterygium using a customized scleral lens. The patient achieved improved visual acuity of 20/20 in the affected eye after fitting with a 16.5 mm free-form scleral lens.

Background

Pterygia are fibrovascular growths on the bulbar conjunctiva that can lead to significant visual impairment due to induced astigmatism. Surgical excision is a common treatment, but recurrence remains a concern. Contact lenses, particularly scleral lenses, offer a non-surgical option for managing visual disturbances associated with pterygia.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data available in the article.

Key Findings

• Pterygia can cause both regular and irregular astigmatism, impacting visual acuity.
• A scleral lens was chosen for its ability to accommodate corneal and scleral irregularities.
• The patient achieved 20/20 visual acuity with a customized scleral lens designed from corneoscleral topography.
• Previous lens options, such as corneal GP and hybrid lenses, were ruled out due to fitting challenges.
• Patient satisfaction was noted in terms of both vision and comfort with the scleral lens.

Clinical Implications

Scleral lenses can be an effective management strategy for patients with pterygium, particularly when traditional lenses fail to provide adequate vision correction. Customization of the lens based on corneoscleral topography is crucial for optimal outcomes.

Conclusion

The case highlights the potential of scleral lenses in improving visual acuity and comfort for patients with pterygium, offering a viable alternative to surgical intervention.

References

1. DeNaeyer GW, Contact Lens Spectrum, 2025 -- Managing Pterygium with Contact Lenses
2. Pterygium - EyeWiki, 2023 -- Overview and Management
3. Contact Lens Spectrum — Contact Lens Case Reports
4. Contact Lens Spectrum — Contact Lens Case Reports
5. Contact Lens Spectrum — CONTACT LENS CASE REPORTS
6. Pterygium - EyeWiki
7. Visual Improvement With Wavefront-Guided Scleral Lenses for Irregular Corneal Astigmatism - PubMed