Limbal Autograft Transplantation for Recurrent and Advanced Pterygia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the usefulness of limbal autograft transplantation in the treatment of recurrent and advanced pterygia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with recurrent and 16 with advanced pterygia (a total of 27 pterygia) were treated with limbal autograft transplantation. Once a pterygium had been excised, superior limbal tissue was taken with conjunctival flap and transferred to the excised area. RESULTS: All the grafts were planted promptly, and donor sites were re-epithelialized with no excessive scar tissue formation. Although slight recurrence was noted in 2 eyes (7.4%), subconjunctival tissue invasions were limited to less than 1 mm, and no further surgical interventions were needed. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that limbal autograft transplantation may be effective for the treatment of recurrent and advanced pterygia.