AIM:To analyze the effects of three surgical methods for treatment of pterygium,and explore the best surgical procedures to reduce recurrence.METHODS:The first group of 51 eyes of 48 patients with pterygium were given excision alone,the second group of 46 patients with 47 eyes underwent pedicle conjunctival graft surgery with mitomycin C,and the third group of 45 eyes of 43 patients were treated with limbal stem cell transplantation.RESULTS:Patients were followed up for 6 months to 2 years.The first group had 13 eyes recurrence,the recurrence rate was 25%;the second group had 3 eyes recurrence,the recurrence rate was 6%,and the third group had 1 eye recurrence,recurrence rate was 2%.CONCLUSION:Limbal stem cell transplantation can effectively reduce the recurrence rate of pterygium,it is an ideal surgical method.