[Amniotic membrane transplantation and limbic-conjunctival autograft for recurrent pterygium, either invasive or with...

To evaluate amniotic membrane transplantation with limbic-conjunctival autograft during recurrent pterygium surgery in cases with a risk of stromal defect or with optic axis involvement, in order to limit the corneal defect in pterygium and preserve vision with moderate astigmatism.

Retrospective study of 50 cases. Three clinical aspects were encountered: A, recurrent pterygium after simple surgery (a corrected stromal defect)--six cases; B, primary pterygium at risk of stromal defect - five cases; C, primary pterygium with optic axis involvement--four cases. Each patient underwent ablative surgery followed by ocular surface rebuilding with limbic-conjunctival autograft combined with amniotic membrane graft on the corneal defect. Visual acuity and astigmatism were measured and compared before and after surgery.

The mean follow-up was 13 months. At the end of the follow-up, the recurrence rate was 27% (four cases: two in A, two in B, and none in C). Mean visual acuity was improved from 0.7 to 0.8 postoperatively (p=0.041). Astigmatism changed slightly from 1.47 to 1.98 dioptres (p=0.155).

For recurrent pterygium, with stromal defect or optic axis involvement, amniotic membrane transplantation and limbic-conjunctival autograft seems not to influence the recurrence rate. However, by limiting initial keratectomy, this surgical procedure only slightly modifies visual acuity and astigmatism in the cases where the two parameters are slightly affected. Failure can be easily managed with further surgery such as lamellar keratoplasty.

Amniotic membrane transplantation and limbic-conjunctival autograft for recurrent pterygium or with optic axis involvement can be useful to integrate in the therapeutic arsenal of pterygium surgery.