Objective: To study the ultrastructural changes of pterygium.
Method: The pathological ultrastructure of pterygium was studied by Hu-12A transmission electron microscopy in 14 specimens.
Results: The result indicated that normal and abnormal elastic fibers and collagenous fibers existed in the pterygium. As hyperplastic fibers intruded into the corneal subepithelium, Bowman's membrane was broken. To a certain extent, blood vessel multiplication and degeneration were found in the pterygium. One of the important factors was blood vessel multiplication and degeneration which affected the occurrence and development of pterygium.
Conclusion: Multiplication and degeneration of elastic and collagenous fibers were the prominent pathological changes, and the pre-elastic fibers and denatured elastic fibers were the main compositions of pterygium.