Abstract
PURPOSE: Increased systemic/local inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the pathophysiology of pterygium, but there is limited information regarding routine hematological indices' levels in patients with pterygium. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the levels of complete blood count parameters in patients with pterygium. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In all, 61 patients with pterygium (pterygium group; mean age = 51.4 ± 13.8 years) and 55 healthy individuals (control group; mean age = 50.2 ± 13.1 years) were included in the study. Participants were given routine ophthalmic examinations; complete blood count parameters were assayed. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, red cell distribution width level was significantly higher in patients with pterygium (p = 0.009), but the difference between the groups in terms of the other complete blood count parameters was not statistically significant. However, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly lower in the pterygium group than control group (p = 0.015). In the pterygium group, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.079). CONCLUSION: Red cell distribution width levels were significantly increased in patients with pterygium. Our data support the idea that inflammation cytokines and oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.