Investigations
1st investigations to order
slit-lamp examination
Test
Facilitates examination of the ocular surface and allows accurate measurement of the nature and extent of the pterygia and detection of any other ocular surface anomalies.
Result
pterygium present
fluorescein staining
Test
Epithelial breakdown can be the cause of the underlying ocular irritation. Fluorescein staining of the tear film allows assessment of this and other associated tear film anomalies.
Result
may reveal epithelial breakdown over the surface of the pterygium
Investigations to consider
corneal topographical scanning
Test
Use if astigmatism suspected. In this technique, computerised instruments gather raw data about the dimensions and curvature of the cornea. Using these data, coloured maps of the cornea with warm colours (reds and oranges) representing steep curvatures of the cornea and cooler colours (blues) representing less steep curvatures can be produced.
Result
different corneal power in different meridians establishes the diagnosis of astigmatism
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