efficacy and safety of subconjunctival mitomycin c and daunorubicin in the treatment of pterygium

purpose: to determine the efficacy and safety of subconjuctival injection of mitomycin c versus daunorubicin for treatment of pterygium. methods: this randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial included 54 eyes of 36 patients with pterygium who were referred to al-zahra hospital, zahedan-iran in 2004. eyes were randomly assigned to three groups including mitomycin c, daunorubicin or placebo. the injection was performed subconjuctivally at limbus under the pterygium. patients were examined before and one month after injection. change in symptoms and size reduction of pterygia and complications were compared among the three groups. results: there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of age and primary pterygium size. post-injection reduction in symptoms and pterygium size had no significant difference among the three groups. post-njection complication rates were 72.2%, 93.3% and 40% in the mitomycin, daunorubicin and placebo groups, respectively. serious complications were not seen in any group. conclusion: subconjuctival injection of mitomycin c and daunorubicin for treatment of pterygium is relatively safe, but has little effect in reducing symptoms and pterygium size