Conjunctival Limbal Autograft Implantation in Primary and Recurrent Pterygium

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results and recurrence rate after pterygium excision with a conjunctival limbal autograft in patients with primary and recurrent pterygium.
METHODS: Patients who had primary (Group 1) or recurrent (Group 2) pterygium and who underwent pterygium excision with a conjunctival limbal autograft implantation (with interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures or fibrin glue) were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients with a follow-up of at least 6 months were included. The primary outcome measures were the spherical equivalent (SE) of manifest refraction, uncorrected distance visual acuity, distance corrected visual acuity, topographical astigmatism, and keratometry values measured preoperatively and at 3- and 6-month follow-up visits. Complication and recurrence data were also recorded.
RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were included in the study. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups preoperatively. When all of the cases were evaluated, there was a statistically significant correlation between pterygium length and corneal astigmatism. After surgery, SE, corneal astigmatism, and topographical astigmatism measurements had decreased significantly in both groups when compared with the preoperative values. Postoperative visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, and manifest cylinder values were similar between the groups. There was no recurrence in Group 1. The recurrence rate was 1.75% in Group 2.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Pterygium excision with a conjunctival limbal autograft is a safe and effective method for the surgical treatment of primary and recurrent pterygium. The recurrence rate was very low.