PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features of pingueculae in North-western Gyeonggi Province. METHODS: In this prospective study, we determined the clinical features of pingueculae for 120 patients who visited our hospital due to pinguecula-related symptoms between October 2011 and May 2012. RESULTS: Among the 374 pingueculae of 120 patients, 208 (56%) pingueculae were found on the nasal side of the conjunctiva and 166 (44%) on the temporal side. The grade of the pingueculae on the temporal conjunctiva was 0.81 +/- 0.626 and was 1.18 +/- 0.648 on the nasal conjunctiva, which was higher (p < 0.001). Pingueculae on the nasal conjunctiva showed greater elevation than on the temporal side (p < 0.001). The horizontal and average diameters of the pingueculae on the nasal and temporal conjunctiva showed no significant difference, but the vertical diameters were 2.40 +/- 0.88 mm and 2.14 +/- 0.91 mm, respectively, showing the vertical diameter on the nasal conjunctiva was significantly greater (p < 0.044). Moreover, the horizontal diameter of each pinguecula was greater than the vertical diameter (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The average grade of pingueculae in North-western Gyeonggi Province increased with age. Compared to the temporal pingueculae, the nasal pingueculae were more protrudent in shape and had higher grades. Furthermore, each pinguecula was oval-shaped with a larger horizontal than vertical diameter. The pingueculae on the temporal side were flatter and more oval-shaped.
Conjunctiva ; Humans ; Pinguecula ; Prospective Studies

The author had published the first report of the above subject in May, 1964. The mode of operation was detailly explained, and the discussion was given briefly at last report. The conclusion are as follows. 1. Pterygium is a benign condition in itself. so that it's operation is very simple and easy. 2. The operated eye became good cosmetic result, and became occasionally clearer than the sound eye through this operation. 3. Regardless of primary or recurrent one, or the size, similarly good result was obtained to after pterygiam operation. As Pinguecula is seemed to be very close to pterygium, Also good results was obtained through same operative procedures as pterygium. 4. Scarcely recurrency was found if one do not make a fault in this operation.
Pinguecula ; Pterygium* ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the parameters of tear function and ocular surface in patients with pinguecula and pterygium. METHODS: The corneal sensitivity test (CST), tear break-up time (BUT), basal tear secretion test, fluorescein staining, rose bengal staining, tear clearance test, and conjunctival impression cytology were evaluated in patients with unilateral pinguecula and pterygium. The results were also evaluated according to the severity of pterygium. RESULTS In patients with pinguecula, BUT (P=0.03) and goblet cell density (P<0.01) were decreased, while the rose bengal staining score (P=0.01) was increased significantly. In patients with pterygium, CST (P=0.01), BUT (P<0.01), and goblet cell density (P<0.01) decreased, and the fluorescein staining score (P<0.01), rose bengal staining score (P<0.01) and grade of conjunctival metaplasia (P<0.01) increased significantly. In comparison with mild pterygium, moderate pterygium demonstrated decreased CST (P=0.01) and BUT (P=0.01), and an increased rose bengal staining score (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The tear films and ocular surface changes in patients with pinguecula and pterygium are worse than in control group. Also, there is close correlation between the severity of pterygium and dry eye condition.
Fluorescein ; Goblet Cells ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Pinguecula* ; Pterygium* ; Rose Bengal ; Tears*

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the parameters of tear function and ocular surface in patients with pinguecula and pterygium. METHODS: The corneal sensitivity test (CST), tear break-up time (BUT), basal tear secretion test, fluorescein staining, rose bengal staining, tear clearance test, and conjunctival impression cytology were evaluated in patients with unilateral pinguecula and pterygium. The results were also evaluated according to the severity of pterygium. RESULTS In patients with pinguecula, BUT (P=0.03) and goblet cell density (P<0.01) were decreased, while the rose bengal staining score (P=0.01) was increased significantly. In patients with pterygium, CST (P=0.01), BUT (P<0.01), and goblet cell density (P<0.01) decreased, and the fluorescein staining score (P<0.01), rose bengal staining score (P<0.01) and grade of conjunctival metaplasia (P<0.01) increased significantly. In comparison with mild pterygium, moderate pterygium demonstrated decreased CST (P=0.01) and BUT (P=0.01), and an increased rose bengal staining score (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The tear films and ocular surface changes in patients with pinguecula and pterygium are worse than in control group. Also, there is close correlation between the severity of pterygium and dry eye condition.
Fluorescein ; Goblet Cells ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Pinguecula* ; Pterygium* ; Rose Bengal ; Tears*

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of patients with pinguecula between the ages of 20 and 39. METHODS: Thirty-two patients who visited our hospital between February 2013 and November 2013 for pinguecula were enrolled in the study. The clinical characteristics were evaluated by the location, size, shape, elevation, color, vascularization and the grade of pingueculae. RESULTS: Ninety-eight pingueculae were found in the 32 patients, 58 (59.18%) pingueculae on the nasal side, and 40 (40.82%) pingueculae on the temporal side. The mean grade of pingueculae of the nasal side was 1.19 +/- 0.40 and on the temporal side was 1.15 +/- 0.43. Compared with the temporal side, pingueculae on the nasal side were more frequent (p = 0.032). The size, color, shape and vascularization of nasal and temporal pingueculae were not significantly differentiated. Medical history, tear film break-up time, Schirmer test, history of contact lens wearing, refractive surgery, occupational activity and residence were not correlated with the grade of pingueculae. However, ocular surface disease index score was correlated with the grade of nasal pingueculae (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The pingueculae of the nasal side were more frequent than of the temporal side in patients between 20 and 39 years of age, and dry eye disease with tear film instability was also present. The ocular surface disease index score increased with the grade of nasal pingueculae.
Eye Diseases ; Humans ; Pinguecula* ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Tears

The author suppose the etiology of the pterygium as combination of following various factors. 1) Irritation of the sun light, wind and dust. 2) Pterygium is frequently encroachment of a pinguecula onto the cornea. 3) Continuous movement of the eye may influence upon the formation of the pterygium. 4) Constiant rubbing of the semilunar fold against bulbar conjunctiva of the internal palpebral fissure. 5) Conjunctival fold due to resistance of the caruncle in ocular movement cause the pressure to the medial limbus. This fact may largely influence upon the formation of the pterygium. 6) Frequent mechanical irritation to the internal palpebal fissure in washing one's face and other daily works. 7) Accumulation of the tear film and dusts on the inner canthal region constantly irritate bulbar conjunctiva. 8) Subconjunctival connective tissue and subconjunctival hypertrophied tissue (a kind of subconjunctival pathologic connective tissue) near the caruncle play great role of the formation and recurrent of the pterygium. This hypothesis based on the fact that extensive and large amount of removal of the subconjunctival pathologic connective tissue according to the author's new operation method revealed complete prevention of the recurrence of pterygium. 9) Incidence of the pterygium on the medial side is over 98% in spite of same condition of the lateral and medial conjunctiva. The author suppose this fact is due to above prescripted various factors.
Conjunctiva ; Connective Tissue ; Cornea ; Dust ; Incidence ; Pinguecula ; Pterygium* ; Recurrence ; Solar System ; Tears ; Wind

PURPOSE: To analyze the autofluorescence (AF) properties of pinguecula using cobalt-blue and yellow filters and to investigate the nature and pathogenesis of pingueculae using histochemical and immunohistochemical staining. METHODS: Fifty pingueculae in 40 patients were included in this study. AF of the pingueculae was observed and analyzed using a cobalt-blue filter with an additional yellow filter on a slit-lamp. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical stainings were performed on surgical specimens of pingueculae that were prepared from each patient. Immunohistochemical staining included Congo red, Oil Red O, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome, transglutaminase-2 (TG-2), mesenchymal stem cell markers CD29 (beta-1-integrin), and CD34. RESULTS: AF images revealed hyper-AF in the pinguecula area. The AF lesions of pingueculae showed superficial punctuate erosions and avascular lesions. Deposition of eosinophilic and amorphous materials in the subepithelial layer of the pinguecula were observed on hematoxylin-eosin staining. Historeactivities to Congo red, PAS, Oil Red O, alcian blue, and Masson's trichrome were not detected, but immunoreactivities to CD29, CD34, and TG-2 were detected in the pingueculae with AF. However, CD29, CD34, and TG-2 were not detected in the pingueculae without AF. CONCLUSIONS: The AF of pingueculae may be related to CD29, CD34, and TG-2. We suggest that pingueculae with AF have a different pathogenesis compared to pingueculae without AF.
Aged ; Coloring Agents/diagnostic use ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoxylin/*diagnostic use ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Confocal/*methods ; Middle Aged ; Pinguecula/*pathology ; Retrospective Studies