Preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of primary pterygium.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of simple excision with preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of primary pterygium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 59 eyes with primary pterygium underwent surgical excision. In Group 1, 28 eyes were treated with simple excision and preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation. In Group 2, 31 eyes were treated with bare sclera excision. These two groups were compared in recurrence, final appearance of the operation site, and complications. Patients were followed for at least 10 months. RESULTS: During a mean follow up of 14.9 months, we observed 3 (10.7%) recurrences in Group 1 and 20 (38.7%) recurrences in Group 2 (P:0.03). In Group 1, 20 (71.4%) eyes and 14 (45.2%) eyes in Group 2 had a satisfactory final operation site appearance (P:0.041). No serious complication was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: Simple excision and preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation appears to be a safe and effective way of treating primary pterygium because of the lack of serious complications and a relatively low rate of recurrence.