Purpose: To assess the correlation between dry eye and pterygium. Methods: Tear breakup time (BUT), Schirmer test with/without anesthesia and tear function index were evaluated in both eyes of patients with unilateral pterygium. Results: Tear BUT, was shortened significantly in the eye with pterygium. The Schirmer test with anesthesia was shortened and the tear function index was decreased in the eye with pterygium with marginal significance. Conclusion: There is a correlation between pterygium formation and shortened BUT. Unstable tear film may contribute to the initiation of pterygium.