Frequency of conjunctival epithelial dysplasia in patients with pterygium

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the frequency of ocular squamous surface neoplasia associated with pterygium in an ophthalmology reference center in Central Mexico. Methods: We reviewed histopathological reports and slides of all patients who underwent pterygium surgery from 2014 to 2016 at the Instituto Mexicano de Oftalmologia in Queretaro (Mexico). Results: We studied 177 biopsy samples; 66% were from women, and the median age was 52 years. We found ocular squamous surface neoplasias in 11.29% (n=20) of the samples. One biopsy sample revealed a poorly differentiated keratinizing and infiltrating carcinoma. Conclusions: The prevalence of ocular squamous surface neoplasia in our region appears to be high. Countrywide studies are necessary to determine the true prevalence of ocular squamous surface neoplasia in Mexico and to examine related risk factors.