Management of primary and recurrent pterygium using amniotic membrane transplantation

This review discusses the relative merits of the various techniques used in pterygium surgery with particular reference to the growing interest in the use of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) because it is safe, effective, and may be employed in conjunction with other techniques, such as limbal transplantation. The efficacy of AMT is comparable to the established method of conjunctival autograft transplantation (CG) and it is especially indicated when there exists a very large conjunctival defect to cover as in primary double-headed pterygium, or in the context of preserving superior bulbar conjunctiva for future glaucoma surgeries. The authors explain how current management principles (eg, use of anti-inflammatory agents, adequate removal of fibrovascular tissue) are based on known differences in pathogenesis and clinical behavior between primary and recurrent pterygium.