AIM:To evaluate the clinical effect of therapeutic soft corneal contact lens in combination with fresh amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of pterygium and its clinical value.

METHODS:This study was a retrospective analysis of 200 pterygium excision patients(200 cases, 220 eyes)in hospital from January 2010-June 2011. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1(100 cases, 110 eyes)were patients treated with fresh amniotic membrane transplantation and therapeutic soft corneal contact lens while group 2(control group, 100 cases, 110 eyes)did not use corneal contact lens. The clinical outcomes in these two groups were compared in a 6-18mo postoperative follow-up observation.

RESULTS:In control group using corneal contact lens the epithelium repair time ranged from 2-7d with an average time of 3.8d; in group 1 the epithelial repair time ranged from 1-5d with an average time of 2.5d. The patients were followed up for 6-18mo, 9 recurrent eyes were found in control group, the recurrence rate was 8.2%; 5 recurrent eyes were found in experimental group the recurreat rate was 4.5%. There were significant differences in the 2 groups comparing treatment outcomes(P<0.05). Early stimulative symptoms after surgery can be reduced by wearing contact lenses.

CONCLUSION:The therapeutic effect of fresh amniotic membrane transplantation after pterygium excision is enhanced by the therapeutic application of corneal contact lens. The epithelial repair time is shortened, the recurrence rate is reduced after pterygium excision and stimulative symptoms including photophobia, tearing, foreign body sensation and ophthalmodynia caused by corneal epithelial defect can be relieved.