AIM: To observe and evaluate the clinical effect of pterygium extended excision with corneal limbal stem cells autograft transplantation.

METHODS: Fifty-nine patients(60 eyes)with pterygium were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A accepted simple pterygium excision in 27 patients(27 eyes); group B accepted pterygium extended excision with corneal limbal stem cells autograft transplantation in 32 patients(33 eyes), then the recurrence rate, epithelial healing time of postoperative wound on cornea, and tear function were compared.

RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 15-25(18±3.6)months, 8 eyes(30%)recurred in group A and 2 eyes(6%)in group B, the average epithelial healing time of postoperative wound of group B was shorter than that of group A, the tear film break-up time prolonged, there were statistical significant differences between two groups.

CONCLUSION: It is effective and safe that pterygium extended excision with corneal limbal stem cells autograft transplantation. It has low recurrence, causes less discomfort, take less time and helps wound surface to heal quickly.