Prevalence Of Pterygia In A Rural Population In Guyana South America.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pterygia in a Guyanese
clinic population. Methods: The records of 1,100 Guyanese patients examined in an optometry
clinic in Hampshire, Guyana were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical examination was
carried out by an experienced optometrist and optometry students. The presence and grades of
pterygia were diagnosed at the examination. Results: Through the use of exam data, we will set out to group prevalence of pterygia in certain age groups and the sex that pterygia are most prevalent in Hampshire, Guyana. Conclusions: Pterygia are highly prevalent in Guyanese patients in our clinic population. Any pterygia that were deemed visually detrimental were referred for removal by an ophthalmologist.