AIM: To compare the efficiency of fibrin glue to suture technique in pterygium surgery performed with limbal autograft under different methods of anesthesia.

METHODS: A prospective randomised clinical trial was carried out in 60 eyes of 55 patients operated for primary nasal pterygium, which were divided into two groups randomly: experimental group(30 eyes in 27 patients)was under surface anesthesia(oxybuprocaine)and control group(30 eyes in 28 patients)was under local anesthesia(20g/L lidocaine). Autologous limbal graft taken from the superotemporal limbus was used to cover the sclera by a fibrin tissue adhesive after pterygium excision. Patients were followed up at least for 6mo. Time of operation, matching degree of graft and VAS score were mainly observed and recorded.

RESULTS: In experimental group the average surgery time was shorter(P=0.008)and matching degree of graft(93%)was better than control group(83%), the differences had statistical significance(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The surface anesthesia is enough when using fibrin glue for graft fixation in pterygium surgery, which will shorten surgery time and get better matching degree of graft.