Publication:

Sociodemographic profile of pterygium patients attending Government Medical College, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir- a study from North India

Background Pterygium is a fibrovascular wing or triangular shaped tissue that develops from the conjunctiva and encroaches on to the cornea.

Methods This prospective observational study was conducted at postgraduate department of Ophthalmology of GMC Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. A total of 90 pterygium patients were selected to analyze various sociodemographic factors especially age, sex, residence, occupation, position etc. on the occurrence of this problem.

Results In the present study, out of 90 pterygium patients, 40% were in the age of 31-40 years followed by 24.44% in 41-50years, 60% were males whereas 66.67% belong to rural areas. The incidence was found to be maximum among farmers 35.56% followed by labourers 20%. The right eye was involved in 55.56% cases while majority 97.78% cases of pterygium were nasal. Progressive pterygium was found in 80% while 20% reported with atrophic pterygium.

Conclusions People who work outdoors are subjected to involuntary U.V. B exposure, dust. Workers must be aware of this and they must take appropriate precautions like wearing protective photochromatic glasses, caps etc.