The pterygium is a benign fibrovascular tissue that originates from the bulbar conjunctiva and invades to the surface of cornea. The Interferon alfa 2b (IFNα2b) is a drug with anti-viral and anti-proliferative characteristics. in contrast, the pterygium is a proliferative tissue that in several studies, it‘s correlation with human papilloma virus is reported. This study has been designed to evaluate the effect of IFNα2b in treatment of recurrent pterygium.

Intraleisional injections of IFNα2b (3 million IU/ml) was done for all patients in two times; the first injection was done in the first day and second injection was performed at the end of first month. Also topical IFNα2b (1 million IU/ml) 4 times daily in first month, 3times daily in second month and 2 times daily in third month was prescribed to all patients. Ophthalmic examinations, uncorrected best visual acuity (BCVA) and corrected best visual acuity (UCVA), refraction, keratometry, size and grade of pterygium was done for all patients in 4 times: in the first day (before the first Intraleisional injection), at the end of first, third and sixth month.

16 eyes (16 patients) had been evaluated in this study. UCVA in third month in contrast to first day (P value: 0.027) and sixth month in contrast to first day (P value: 0.043) and BCVA in third month in contrast to first day (P value: 0.035) and sixth month in contrast to first day (P value: 0.028) have statistically significant improvement. But other variables did not have statistically significant improvement.

according to finding of this study, IFNα2b can improve somewhate of the UCVA and BCVA that is not clinically very significant. Another finding was no progression of refraction, keratometry, size and grade of recurrent pterygium in all patients during six month follow up that can imply the inhibitory effect of IFNα2b on pterygium but it needs another study with longer follow up to confirm.