AIM:To investigate the prevalence of pterygium of the household population aged 40 and above in Hengli Town of Dongguan.

METHODS: Using the method of cluster random sampling, select 3 628 people aged 40 and above in four villages and one community for visual examination, intraocular pressure check, slit lamp examination and questionnaire.

RESULTS: The actual number of subjects was 3 393 people, and examination rate was 93.52%. We detected 843 patients with pterygium. The prevalence of pterygium was 24.85%.

CONCLUSION: There is high prevalence of pterygium in Dongguan area. The prevalence of pterygium is related with age and working environment, but has no relation with gender.