AIM: To evaluate the effect of recurrent and primary pterygium treated by extensive removal of pterygium combined with amniotic membrane graft.

METHODS: A retrospective study was done for 231 eyes of 195 patients with extensive removal of pterygium combined with amniotic membrane graft, and 46 eyes of 39 cases with simple extensive excision. All patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A(40 eyes of 38 patients)suffered with recurrent pterygium. Group B(185 eyes of 156 patients)and group C(46 eyes of 39 patients)suffered with primary pterygium. The follow up period was from 1 year to 6 years.

RESULTS: Group A 40 eyes of 6 recurrence(15%); Group B 185 eyes of 11 recurrence(6%); and group C 46 eyes of 10 recurrence(22%).The recurrent rate between group A and group B(P<0.05), between group B and group C(P<0.01)was significant difference.

CONCLUSION: Extensive removal of pterygium combined with amniotic membrane graft can reduce the recurrent rate after primary pterygium and recurrent pterygium excision, but it is more effective for primary pterygium.