Is amniotic membrane transplantation, an adjuvant of choice following excision of primary Pterygium?

• Main Author: P Shashikala
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research
• Online Access: http://www.jcor.in/article.asp?issn=2320-3897;year=2013;volume=1;issue=2;spage=91;epage=93;aulast=Shashikala

Though, Conjunctivo-limbal auto-graft is the most accepted adjuvant to prevent recurrence of pterygium, has its own limitations like difficulty to cover large defect and to preserve for future glaucoma surgeries, necessiating to find an alternative especially, in young patients. The outcomes between amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and conjunctivo-limbal auto graft transplantation (CLAT) as an adjuvant following excision of primary pterygia from Jan. 2010 to Dec.2010 were compared. Twenty four patients had AMT and 28 patients had CLAT after pterygium excision and followed for minimum of 12 months; evaluated in terms of recurrence or complications. We had 44% young (<40yrs) with 58% female. Epithelial healing occurred within a week. AMT cases showed 8% recurrence, nil in CLAT but, with 2 cases of pyogenic granuloma. We conclude that, AMT as an adjuvant would be a viable option reserving CLAT for those with recurrence or as a last resort especially, in younger patients.