The efficacy of topical interferon alpha 2b in primary pterygium

Purpose: The pterygium is a benign fibrovascular tissue that originates from the bulbar conjunctiva and invades to the surface of cornea. The interferon alfa 2b (IFNα2b) is a drug with anti-viral and anti-proliferative characteristics. In contrast, the pterygium is a proliferative tissue that in several studies, it‘s correlation with human papilloma virus(HPV) is reported. This study has been designed to evaluate the effect of IFNα2b in treatment of primary pterygium. Methods: Intralesional injections of IFNα2b (3 million IU/ml) was done for all patients in two times; the first injection was done on the first day and second injection was performed at the end of first month. Also, topical IFNα2b (1 million IU/ml) was prescribed to all patients as: 4 times daily in first month, 3 times daily in second month and 2 times daily in third month. Ophthalmic examinations, uncorrected best visual acuity (BCVA) and corrected best visual acuity (UCVA), refraction, keratometry, size and grade of pterygium was done for all patients 4 times: on the first day (before the first intralesional injection), at the end of first, third and sixth month Results: 18 eyes (16 patients) were evaluated in this study. UCVA in sixth month in contrast to first day (P value: 0.00) had statistically significant improvement. However, other variables did not have statistically significant improvement.Conclusion: According to findings of this study, it can be said that IFNα2b has no significant improving effect on the primary pterygium and cannot be a good alternative to existing surgical treatments. Another finding was no progression of refraction, keratometry, size and grade of primary pterygium in all patients during six month follow up that can imply the inhibitory effect of IFNα2b on primary pterygium. However, it needs further study with longer follow up to confirm.