Tips For Efficient Pterygium Surgery

In this 1-Minute Video, Dr. John Hovanesian shares pearls for easing pterygium surgery. First, snip down vertically, using blunt Westcott scissors, to outline the incision area. This provides clear guidance without the need for a marker, and reduces the chances of oversizing the graft. When removing the pterygium, grasp it with forceps and hold counter-traction with a Q-tip. To make the graft thinner, use a vertical blade to scrape perpendicular to the limbus to achieve a thin graft that extends into the peripheral limbus. When applying sealant to hold the graft in place, first place a drop of thrombin and allow it to dry, then place fibrinogen on the underside of the graft before inverting the graft to mix the 2 components.

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