A pterygium has been defined as a triangular-shaped, elastotic degeneration of the conjunctiva, consisting of bulbar conjunctival epithelium and hypertrophied sub-conjunctival connective tissue, occurring medially and laterally in the palpebral fissure, and encroaching onto the cornea [1]. Epidemiological studies suggest an association with chronic exposure to sunlight, with an increased geographical prevalence in a “peri-equatorial pterygium belt” of latitudes 37° north and south of the equator [2]. The examination of more than 64,000 Aborigines and 40,000 non-Aborigines throughout rural Australia in the early 1980s demonstrated an increased prevalence of pterygium in Aborigines [3]. Furthermore, the pattern of pterygium prevalence was tested against UV zones with the lowest prevalence of pterygia seen in the lowest UV intensity zone and vice versa [3]. Aborigines live most of their lives outdoors with most of their communities having makeshift housing in surroundings of bare ground [3]. These findings help to demonstrate a strong correlation between UV irradiation and the prevalence of ptery-gium. Indeed, the UV type B light in solar radiation has been found to be the most significant environmental factor in pterygium pathogenesis [2].
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Fine, I.H., Hoffman, R.S., Packer, M. (2010). Pterygium. In: Fine, I.H., Mojon, D.S. (eds) Minimally Invasive Ophthalmic Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02602-7_6
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