Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of functional tear film on constitutional pterygium. Design Prospective comparative case series. Participants 53 cases of monocular patients with primary pterygium in Nanlang Hospital of Zhongshan City from August 2012 to February 2013. Method  14 pterygium patients with stationary phase and 39 patients with active phase were included in this study. All patients were examined  with Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT) and conjunctival impression cytology for golblet cell count. Logistic regression was used to analyze associated factors and ptetygium activity.  Main Outcome Measures  Schirmer test, BUT and conjunctival golblet cell density. Results The result of Schirmer test in stationary phase and active phase was (9.43±2.28) mm and (8.67±2.14) mm, respectively (P=0.267). While the result of BUT in stationary phase and active phase was (8.79±1.97)s and (5.05±2.14)s, respectively (P=0.000). The mean globlet cell density (numbers/10 fields) in conjunctival impression specimens in stationary phase and active phase was (38.79±2.83) and (32.74±3.30), respectively (P=0.000). The logistic regression analysis showed that only BUT could affect the activity of ptetygium. Conclusions The active state of pterygium is associated with ocular surface status of patients. The patients of pterygiumms in active phase suffer poor tear film compared with patients in stationary phase. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2015, 24: 44-46)

Key words: pterygium/ pathophysiology, tear film