Efficacy of Limbal Conjunctival Autograft Surgery with Stem Cells in Primary and Recurrent Pterygium.

Aims & Objectives: To determine the efficacy of limbal-conjunctival autograft surgery with stem cells in the management of primary and recurrent pterygium and determine the best corrected visual acuity after surgery. Materials and Methods: Surgical excision of pterygium and limbal-conjunctival autograft were done in 75 patients having primary pterygium and 25 patients having recurrent pterygium. Autologous conjunctival graft taken from the superotemporal bulbar conjunctiva was used to cover the sclera after pterygium excision while maintaining limbus to limbus orientation. All patients who underwent surgery were followed up for 18 months to 42 months. Result: Recurrence noted in 2 (2.7%) patients in primary pterygium and in 1(4%) patient in recurrent pterygium. We found no statistically significant difference when the conjunctival autograft was performed in both type of pterygia whether primary or recurrent. We observed a significant reduction in astigmatism which resulted in significant improvement in best corrected visual acuity Conclusion: Limbal-conjunctival autograft surgery, including stem cells, appears to be an effective surgical technique in preventing pterygium recurrence and it can help in improving the best corrected visual acuity.