AIM: To compare the effects and postoperative recovery of pterygium resection respectively combined with dry and hydrated amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of primary pterygium.

METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 120 patients(137 eyes)with primary pterygium who were treated in our hospital from May to October 2020. The subjects were divided into two groups according to different treatments. The 60 patients of group A(67 eyes)were treated with pterygium resection combined with dry amniotic membrane transplantation, while the 60 patients of group B(70 eyes)were treated with pterygium resection combined with hydrated amniotic membrane transplantation. Comparison was made between the two groups in terms of the changes in Schirmer test I(SⅠt), tear film break-up time(BUT)and vision before and after operation.Moreover, the postoperative pain score, regression time of ocular hyperemia and edema, wound healing time, complications and recurrence rate were compared.

RESULTS: SⅠt in the two groups showed no significant difference before and after operation(P>0.05). BUT of the two groups showed no significant difference before operation and on 7d after operation(P>0.05). BUT of group B was significantly longer than that of group A on 30 and 90d after operation(all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in pain score between the two groups after operation(P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the uncorrected visual acuity and the best corrected visual acuity before operation and on 30d after operation(P>0.05). The UCVA of the two groups was significantly improved on 30d after operation(P<0.001). The regression time of ocular hyperemia and edema and wound healing time in group B were significantly shorter than those in group A(P<0.05). The total incidence of complications during 1a of follow-up showed no significant difference between the two groups(11.9% vs 8.6%, P>0.05), but the recurrence rate in group B was significantly lower than that in group A(2.9% vs 13.4%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Pterygium resection combined with hydrated amniotic membrane transplantation is more effective than pterygium resection combined with dry amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of primary pterygium. Meanwhile, the patients heal faster after surgery, and the recurrence rate is lower.