To describe the characteristics of patients with pinguecula between the ages of 20 and 39.

Thirty-two patients who visited our hospital between February 2013 and November 2013 for pinguecula were enrolled in the study. The clinical characteristics were evaluated by the location, size, shape, elevation, color, vascularization and the grade of pingueculae.

Ninety-eight pingueculae were found in the 32 patients, 58 (59.18%) pingueculae on the nasal side, and 40 (40.82%) pingueculae on the temporal side. The mean grade of pingueculae of the nasal side was 1.19 ± 0.40 and on the temporal side was 1.15 ± 0.43. Compared with the temporal side, pingueculae on the nasal side were more frequent ( p = 0.032). The size, color, shape and vascularization of nasal and temporal pingueculae were not significantly differentiated. Medical history, tear film break-up time, Schirmer test, history of contact lens wearing, refractive surgery, occupational activity and residence were not correlated with the grade of pingueculae. However, ocular surface disease index score was correlated with the grade of nasal pingueculae ( p = 0.01).

The pingueculae of the nasal side were more frequent than of the temporal side in patients between 20 and 39 years of age, and dry eye disease with tear film instability was also present. The ocular surface disease index score increased with the grade of nasal pingueculae.