Treatment of Primary Pterygium: Role of Limbal Stem Cells and Conjunctival Autograft Transplantation

PURPOSE: The limbus and its stem cells are important in the pathogenesis of pterygium. In this study, the usefulness of limbal stem cells and conjunctival autograft transplantation for the treatment of primary pterygium is assessed. METHODS: In this prospective noncomparative cohort study, 42 eyes of 42 patients with grade I-III primary pterygium underwent pterygium excision followed by superotemporal limbal stem cells and conjunctival autograft transplantation. Pterygium recurrences and complications within a mean follow-up period of 18.26 months (range, 10-28 months) were assessed. RESULTS: There were no recurrences of pterygium growth except in 2 cases (4.75%). In addition, no significant complications were noted. No further surgical interventions were needed in any case except for reoperation in the 2 recurrent cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although limbal stem cells and conjunctival autograft transplantation is a time-consuming procedure, it is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of different grades of pterygium. It is useful in prevention of pterygium recurrence, which is a major problem in pterygium surgery.