Efficacy of topical ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) on pterygium: a pilot and feasibility study
Amin Zand1 *, Mohammadreza Soleimani2 , Sara Reza-zadeh2
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shafa Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Abstract: To investigate the impact of topically administered ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), as an antioxidant agent, on the progression of primary pterygium.
Methods: This pilot and prospective study involved patients with primary pterygium, divided into two randomized groups. One group received topical 1% EDTA, while the other group received artificial tears. The medications were applied four times daily for one month. Changes in pterygium size and morphology were compared within and between the groups during a two-month follow-up. Additionally, any potential adverse effects of the drug during the study were documented.
Results: Each group consisted of 20 eyes from 20 patients, with similar pterygium size and morphology at baseline. The mean pterygium size did not differ between the groups at any visit (P > 0.05). In the EDTA group, the size significantly decreased at month 2 compared to baseline and month 1 values (Ps < 0.001). However, there was no change in the artificial tear group during the study (P = 0.956). The mean score for the grading of pterygium morphology was similar between the groups at all visits (Ps > 0.05) and did not significantly change during the follow-ups in either the EDTA (P = 0.081) or artificial tear (P = 0.056) groups. No adverse events were observed in any of the eyes during the study.
Conclusion: Topical administration of EDTA may be superior to artificial tears in slowing down the progression of pterygium size, with no observed changes in its clinical morphology.
