AIM:To investigate the effect on high altitude Kazak patients with pterygium treated with different methods. METHODS:Sixty-six cases ( 69 eyes) were randomly divided into two groups, using microsurgical excision of pterygium with limbal stem cell transplantation combined with mitomycin C operation ( 33 cases, 34 eyes) and pterygium microscopic resection combined with mitomycin C operation ( 33 cases,35 eyes) respectively,postoperative follow-up lasted 1-2 years. RESULTS:The corneal epithelial healing time was 3-5(4.5±2.4)days in corneal limbal stem cells group, 5-8(6.5±2.6)days in pterygium excision group, there was significant difference between two groups(t=3.317,P<0.05).Corneal limbal stem cell group had 1 eye recurred, the relapse rate was 3%, 8 eyes recurred in pterygium excision group, the recurrence rate was 22%, there was significant difference between two groups (χ² = 4.389,P<0.05). CONCLUSION:At high altitude, due to low air pressure, large wind and sand, drying, and strong ultarvidet radiation,the prevalence rate of minority nationalities increases.Pterygium excision with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation combined with mitomycin C treatment in patients has fast corneal wound healing and low recurrence rate, which is a safe, effective method and worthy of promotion and application.