AIM: To compare the analysis of conjunctival autograft(CAG)or limbal conjunctival autograft(LCAG)for treating pterygium.

METHODS: Systematic search of the National Library of America Medical Literature Search System(PubMed), the Excerpta Medica Database(EMBASE), the Cochrane Library and the US Clinical Trial Registry which all literatures established of the database from September 2021. The rate of recurrence, corneal epithelial healing time, the change in Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt)and the change in tear break-up time(BUT)were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3, count data were expressed as relative ratio(RR),measurement data were expressed as standardized mean difference(SMD)with 95%CI.

RESULTS: There were 15 studies included with a total number of 1 883 surgical eyes,among them, there were 897 eyes experienced LCAG while 986 eyes underwent CAG. For the rate of recurrence, LCAG group was lower than CAG group(RR=0.33, 95%CI: 0.15-0.71, P=0.004). For corneal epithelial healing time, LCAG group seemed to behave better than CAG group(SMD=-0.87, 95%CI: -1.64 to -0.11, P = 0.02). No statistical significance was found for SⅠt(SMD = 0.03, 95% CI, -0.33-0.40, P=0.86)and as for BUT, LACG group showed longer times against CAG group(SMD=0.40, 95%CI: 0.09-0.70, P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Pterygium resection combined with LCAG was with lower recurrence rate, faster corneal epithelial healing and more stable tear film rather than CAG.