Perioperative Management of Pterygium

Lagophthalmos affects corneal wound healing and may also cause exposure keratitis or other corneal infections, especially in patients with poor Bell’s phenomenon. Hence, lagophthalmos must be managed prior to pterygium surgery. Patients with lagophthalmos should be transferred to a plastic surgery department for treatment and should not undergo pterygium surgery until their eyelids can completely close. Infectious eyelid diseases, including blepharitis, meibomian gland cyst infection, and eyelid skin purulent diseases, should be properly treated and controlled before pterygium surgery (Fig. 5.1).