Compare the effects of recurrent pterygium treated by limbal stem cell transplantation and amniotic membrane transplantation

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of recurrent pterygium treated by limbai stem cell transplantation and amniotic membrane transplantation. Methods Sixty-six eases (69eyes) with recur-rent pterygium were randomly divided into limbal stem cell autograft transplantation group (33cases, 34eyes) and amniotic membrane transplantation group (33eases, 35eyes). The post operative follow-up periods were 12 to 24 months. Results Recurrence of one eye was noted in limbal stem cell autogratft transplantation group, the recurrent rate was 2.94%, however recurrence of eight eyes were noted in anmiotie membrane transplantation group, the recurrent rate was 22.9%. There was statistical significant difference between two groups (χ2=4.389,P <0.05 ). The average epithelial recovering time of corneal wound was 4.5 days,and 6.5 days,respectively,the difference was statistical significant (t =3.317, P <0.01 ). Conclusion Limbal stem cells autograft transplantation can decrease the recurrent rate, improve epithelial recovering time of corneal wound, it is an ideal method for treating the recurrent pterygium and is worth to spreading. Key words: Recurrent pterygium;  Limbal stem cells;  Amniotic membrane;  Transplantation