Risk factors for pterygium in the high-altitude communities.

We read the article titled “risk factors for pterygium in the high-altitude communities” and found it very interesting (Maharjan et al, 2014). The authors have highlighted the higher prevalence of pterygium, more amongstthe farmers than in the other professionals. Based on the present report, it seems that there is no specific finding regarding the high altitude environment. The main question is whether altitude has any effect on the occurrence of pterygium. Focusing on the previous report from the Tibet province of China, where the altitude is very high, a high prevalence of blindness and low vision is reported by Wang et al (2013) and the commonest ocular problem is also pterygium. In another report from a high altituderegion of Mongolia, the dry eye syndrome is common and pterygium is a highly prevalent eye disease (Guo et al, 2010). The exact explanation for the possible relationship between high altitude and the prevalence of pterygium should be an interesting area for further ophthalmological research.