AIM:To analyse the failure reason of fresh amniotic membrane transplantation in treatment of pterygium. METHODS:The clinical efficacy of 194 eyes of newly developed pterygium (120 eyes) and recurrent pterygium(74 eyes), which were performed fresh amniotic membrane transplantation from September 2006 to December 2009, were retrospectively investigated.The failure reason was analysed. RESULTS:Amniotic membrane of 9 eyes (4.6%) melted and pterygium of 30 eyes recurred. The post-operative follow-up periods were 15 to 36 months. CONCLUSION:That transplantation bed surface is not smooth or clean, hemorrhage under the graft and that graft suture is not solid are the main factors of dissolved amnion graft. Amniotic membrane dissolution, inexhaustive excision, surgical trauma and postoperative inflammatory stimulation and important reasons in recurrent pterygium.