AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy of diclofenac sodium eye drops for postoperative recurrence of pterygium, and to provide safer drug regimens to prevent the recurrence of pterygium.

METHODS: From November 2011 to September 2013, 124 patients 134 eyes who underwent surgery because of pterygium in our hospital were randomly divided into trial group( diclofenac sodium eye drops and sodium hyaluronate eye drops)and control group(tobramycin dexamethasone eye drops and sodium hyaluronate eye drops), all patients were followed up for 3mo(once a week)and the cornea, intraocular pressure and recurrence of pterygium were observed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: Followed up for 3mo, 43 cases(45 eyes)in the trial group and 38 cases(39 eyes)in the control group had done the follow up as planned, in which 14 cases(15 eyes)showed the signs of recurrence, 2 cases(3 eyes)recurred eventually in the trial group, and in the meantime there were 12 cases(13 eyes)with signs of recurrence and 2 cases(2 eyes)with a recurrence eventually in the control group, but no statistical difference was found between the two groups(P>0.05); there were 6 cases(9 eyes)dropped out of the study with a higher intraocular pressure in the control group, compared to trial group(0 cases of 0 eye), the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05); cornea conditions between the two groups had no statistical significance(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:Diclofenac sodium eye drops is effective and safe in preventing the recurrence of pterygium.