AIM: To compare the safety and efficacy of conjunctival autograft transplant(CAT)and limbal-conjunctival autograft transplant(LCAT)for primary pterygium.

METHODS: In this prospective, randomized and controlled clinical study, 120 patients(120 eyes)diagnosed with primary pterygium were collected in NO.474 Hospital of Chinese PLA from January 2014 to January 2015. The 120 patients enrolled in the study in turn, and divided into two group by the odd and even number. The odd number underwent CAT and the even number underwent LCAT.

RESULTS:One hundred and seven patients(107 eyes)completed the follow-up of 1a, including 54 patients(54 eyes)from the CAT group and 53 patients(53 eyes)from the LCAT group. Four patients(4 eyes, recurrence rate 7.4%)in the CAT group and 2 patients(2 eyes, recurrence rate 3.8%)in the LCAT group developed recurrence. However, there were no significant in recurrence rate between CAT group and LCAT group(P=0.678).

CONCLUSION:CAT and LCAT might be both effective treatment for primary pterygium for reducing the recurrence rate of pterygium. However, LCAT is the optimal surgical method for primary pterygium.