[Amniotic membrane transplantation and limbal autograft transplantation for patients with recurrent pterygium].

OBJECT: To evaluate the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation and limbal autograft transplantation for recurrent pterygium.

METHODS

Patients with recurrent pterygium underwent pterygia excision with amniotic membrane transplantation and limbal auto-graft transplantation. The condition of grafts, the corneal surface and the recurrent rate were observed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (32 eyes) with recurrent pterygium underwent pterygia excision with amniotic membrane transplantation and limbal auto-graft transplantation. The mean time of corneal epithelial healing was 4.4 +/- 1.5 days. The recurrent rate was 12.5% with the mean follow-up of 7.6 months.

CONCLUSION

Amniotic membrane transplantation and limbal auto-graft transplantation can reduce the recurrence in patients with recurrent pterygium. The decompensation of the limbal stem cells should be considered to the severe patients.