AIM: To investigate the performance of visual acuity and refractive after the two different surgical methods for treatment of primary pterygium.

METHODS: A total of 120 cases 120 eyes underwent pterygium surgery were divided into 2 groups randomly, group A(pterygium excision with limbal stem cell transplantation)and group B(pterygium excision with amniotic membrane transplantation). The incision condition of the wound margin of conjunctiva and corneal were observed everyday by slit lamp microscope on the first week after pterygium surgery, and the growth of transplantation, with or without infection and corneal epithelium repair and corneal growth of new blood vessels also were observed everyday by slit lamp microscope on the first week after pterygium surgery. Naked visual acuity, corneal curvature and corneal astigmatism were measured and compared in preoperative 2 weeks, postoperative 3 weeks.

RESULTS: In group A and B, the results of naked visual acuity, corneal curvature and corneal astigmatism in postoperative 3 weeks were different to that of preoperative with statistical significance(P<0.05). While the changes in postoperative 3 weeks had no statistical significance difference between two groups(P >0.05).

CONCLUSION: The surgery for pterygium can change the corneal refraction. Both pterygium excision with limbal stem cell transplantation and pterygium excision with amniotic membrane transplantation can decrease astigmatism degree and improve visual acuity. We should choose the operation method according to the patient's condition.