AIM: To compare clinical effects of three adjuvant therapeutics to primary pterygium excision.

METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, one-blinded trial. One hundred and sixty adult patients with advanced pterygium were randomly divided into amniotic membrane transplantation(Group A, 68 eyes), amniotic membrane transplantation and mitomycin C application(Group B, 62 eyes)and autologous corneal limbal stem cell transplantation with conjunctival flap(Group C, 60 eyes). Patients were followed up until 12 months after operation. The corneal wound healing time and recurrence rate were analyzed.

RESULTS: The corneal wound healing time was 2.1±1.5 days in group A, 2.3±1.2 days in group B and 2.8±1.7 days in group C, respectively. The recurrence rate was 16% in group A, 11% in group B and 7% in group C, respectively. The recurrence rate was similar between group A and B.

CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane transplantation and mitomycin C application is more preferable in improving corneal wound healing and reducing post-operative recurrence after primary pterygium excision.