AIM: To investigate the effect of pterygium transplantation combined with amniotic membrane transplantation plus bandage type contact lenses.

METHODS: Totally 72 patients(80 eyes)with pterygium treated in our hospital from December 2014 to December 2016 were enrolled and divided into observation group and control group according to the randomized method, with 37 cases(41 eyes), 35 cases(39 eyes)respectively. The control group was treated with pterygium transplantation combined with amniotic membrane transplantation. On the basis of this, the observation group received bandage contact lens. The postoperative visual acuity, curative effect, recurrence rate, and corneal healing time were recorded during the postoperative 1-year follow-up. Non contact tonometer was used to detect intraocular pressure(IOP)before operation and after operation 1d, 1, 3, 6, and 12mo. Then the incidence of postoperative complications was recorded.

RESULTS: In order to determine the curative effect, a 4-grade standard was devised, from Ⅰ to Ⅳ. The postoperative efficacy of observation group consisted of 19 eyes in grade Ⅰ, 11 eyes in grade Ⅱ, 8 eyes in grade Ⅲ, 3 eyes in grade Ⅳ, while the control group had 16 eyes in grade Ⅰ, 12 eyes in grade Ⅱ, 8 eyes in grade Ⅲ, 3 eyes in grade Ⅳ, with no significant difference between two groups(P>0.05). Visual acuity in the observation group increased in 20 eyes, remained in 17 eyes, and decreased in 4 eyes. In control group, visual acuity increased in 16 eyes, remained in 17 eyes, and decreased in 6 eyes, with no significant difference between two groups(P>0.05). The corneal healing time was 3.43 ±1.03d in the observation group and 5.13±1.16d in the control group, which was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05). The IOP of the two groups before operation and after operation 1d, 1, 3, 6, and 12mo showed no significant difference(P>0.05). After the operation, only 1 eyes of corneal scar were found in the control group, and no other complications were found in the two groups such as intraocular pressure and corneal astigmatism.

CONCLUSION: Compared with pterygium transposition alone, combined amniotic membrane transplantation plus bandage contact lens is an effective and safe way to improve corneal healing time for patients with pterygium.