As taxas de prevalência variam de <1% a 30% ou mais, dependendo da localização geográfica da população do estudo, com as taxas mais altas ocorrendo nas áreas com alta intensidade de luz ultravioleta (UV).[1]Saw SM, Tan D. Pterygium: prevalence, demography and risk factors. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 1999 Sep;6(3):219-28.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10487976?tool=bestpractice.com
[2]Mackenzie FD, Hirst LW, Battistutta D, et al. Risk analysis in the development of pterygia. Ophthalmology. 1992 Jul;99(7):1056-61.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1495784?tool=bestpractice.com
[3]Rezvan F, Khabazkhoob M, Hooshmand E, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-35.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29551597?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Liu L, Wu J, Geng J, et al. Geographical prevalence and risk factors for pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2013 Nov 19;3(11):e003787.
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/11/e003787
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24253031?tool=bestpractice.com
A prevalência global geral do pterígio é cerca de 12%.[3]Rezvan F, Khabazkhoob M, Hooshmand E, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-35.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29551597?tool=bestpractice.com
A prevalência aumenta com a idade.[3]Rezvan F, Khabazkhoob M, Hooshmand E, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-35.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29551597?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Liu L, Wu J, Geng J, et al. Geographical prevalence and risk factors for pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2013 Nov 19;3(11):e003787.
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/11/e003787
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24253031?tool=bestpractice.com
[5]Bikbov MM, Zainullin RM, Kazakbaeva GM, et al. Pterygium prevalence and its associations in a Russian population: the ural eye and medical study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2019 Sep;205:27-34.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30849347?tool=bestpractice.com
Alguns estudos relatam ocorrência igual em homens e mulheres, enquanto outros relatam uma ligeira predominância nos homens.[3]Rezvan F, Khabazkhoob M, Hooshmand E, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-35.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29551597?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Liu L, Wu J, Geng J, et al. Geographical prevalence and risk factors for pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2013 Nov 19;3(11):e003787.
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/11/e003787
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24253031?tool=bestpractice.com
[5]Bikbov MM, Zainullin RM, Kazakbaeva GM, et al. Pterygium prevalence and its associations in a Russian population: the ural eye and medical study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2019 Sep;205:27-34.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30849347?tool=bestpractice.com
É possível que esses resultados diferentes sejam decorrentes de populações onde há diferenças entre os sexos em relação ao estilo de vida/trabalho ao ar livre e, portanto, exposição à luz UV, em vez do sexo em si ser um fator de risco para o pterígio.[4]Liu L, Wu J, Geng J, et al. Geographical prevalence and risk factors for pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2013 Nov 19;3(11):e003787.
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/11/e003787
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24253031?tool=bestpractice.com