AIM: To investigate the curative effects and complications of CsA and mitomycin C(MMC)applied to postoperative pterygium.

METHODS: Totally 63 patients(100 eyes)who received treatment at Xiaogan Central Hospital from May 2009 to May 2011 were selected. All the patients underwent resection of pterygium and were divided into two groups randomly. Group 1 received eye drops of 0.5g/L CsA four times per day for 12 weeks(briefed as Group CsA, n=50), and Group 2 received eye drops of 0.2g/L MMC twice per day for 1 week(briefed as Group MMC, n=50).

RESULTS: Four eyes(8%)among 50 in Group CsA and 3 eyes(6%)in Group MMC relapsed after Chi-square test( P>0.05). In Group CsA, 3 patients revealed responses of burning pricking pain and slight congestion of bulbar conjunctiva that disappeared after drug withdrawal. Only slight postoperative photaesthesia, lachrymation and pain were observed and the conjunctiva healing required 5-10 days. No corneal epithelium damage was observed among all eyes. In MMC group, photaesthesia, lachrymation and pain were relevantly severe, and 12 eyes(24%)displayed delayed union in conjunctival wounds(10-14 days).

CONCLUSION: For postoperative applications of CsA and MMC to pterygium, they are equivalent in preventing recurrence of pterygium, yet postoperative drop of CsA revealed lighter reaction and fewer side effects.