AIM: To observe the effect of corneal bandage lens on ocular surface repair after pterygium excision combined with limbal stem cell transplantation.

METHODS: Totally 52 patients with unilateral primary pterygium were selected from January 2016 to January 2018 in the ophthalmology department of our hospital. All 26 cases(26 eyes)underwent pterygium excision combined with limbal stem cell transplantation and who were placed with bandage lens as the experimental group, the other 26 cases(26 eyes)without bandage lens placed as the control group. Ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaires, tear break-up time(BUT), and corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)were recorded before operation and after operation.

RESULTS: BUT in the experimental group was longer than that in the control group(P<0.05), OSDI and CFS scores were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05)at 2wk, 1mo after operation. Compared with the preoperative situation, BUT in the two groups was shorter, OSDI and CFS scores were higher(P<0.05). At 1mo after operation there were no significant differences in BUT, OSDI and CFS between the experimental group and those before the operation(P>0.05), but in the corresponding period, BUT in the control group was still shorter, OSDI and CFS scores were still higher than those before the operation(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Surgical excision combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation and placing corneal bandage lens is a safe method to promote corneal healing, improve tear film stability and reduce postoperative discomfort in pterygium patients in the early stage after surgery, which is conducive to the repair of the ocular surface and has certain clinical application value.