Amniotic membrane transplantation in primary pterygium compared with bare sclera technique.

OBJECTIVE To compare the excision of primary pterygium by bare sclera technique and excision combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). STUDY DESIGN An experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Eye Department, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, presently known as Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, from May 2007 to July 2008. METHODOLOGY A pilot study of 70 patients was conducted. Patients were divided in two groups. In group I, pterygium excision was done by bare sclera technique while in group II, AMT was done after excision. Patients were followed for 6 months. Proportion of recurrence of pterygium was noted in each group and compared with chi-square test with significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS Number of patients who presented with recurrence of pterygium in group-I were 12 (37.5%) and in group-II were 4 (12.9%). Chi-square tests showed that there was a statistically significant difference in frequency of recurrence between the two groups (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION AMT after excision of pterygium appeared to be safe and effective way of treating primary pterygium as compared to bare sclera technique due to lesser recurrence at 6 months.