[Corneal limbal stem cell autograft and conjunctiva transplantation for treatment of pterygium].

PURPOSE: To observe the therapeutic effects of corneal limbal stem cell autograft and conjunctiva transplantation for the treatment of pterygium.

METHODS

Corneal limbal stem cell autograft and conjunctiva transplantation were performed on 38 cases (43 eyes) with newly developed or recurrent pterygium. The post-operative follow-up period ranged from 3 to 30 months (mean, 10 months).

RESULTS

Of 38 cases (43 eyes), there were 34 cases (38 eyes) with stable epithelial healing and recovery of corneal transparency with no abnormal proliferation of pterygium-like tissue. 4 cases (5 eyes) were lost during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

To provide new stem cell source for injured limbus with limbal epithelial autograft transplantation is a reasonable therapeutic method for treatment of pterygium.