AIM:To compare the therapeutic effects of different surgical methods in treating pterygium patients and to observe tear film stability.

METHODS: A total of 120 pterygium patients(120 eyes)were divided into three groups, each 40 cases(40 eyes). Data including Schirmer Ⅰ test(S Ⅰ t), tear break-up time(BUT), corneal fluorescein staining(CFS)were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively to evaluate the clinical efficacy of surgery and the effects of tear function changes.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in BUT in group A before the operation and one month after operation. Groups B and C showed significant difference before and after operation, but differences were not statistically significant(all P<0.05); One month after operation, there was significant difference in CFS among group A, B and C(P<0.05), but the difference was not satistically significant between groups B and C; After 3mo, BUT in group A was not significant difference compared with the preoperative; but there was significant difference in groups B and C(P<0.05). When compared it between groups B and C, there showed no significant difference; Group A showed no significant difference in SⅠt compared with preoperative, SⅠt of groups B and C were significant differences compared with preoperative(P<0.05), but no significant difference between the two groups; After 3mo, CFS of preoperative group A and group B and group C had no significant difference. After 10mo follow-up, there was axsignificant difference(P<0.05)in recurrence rate in group A comparing with groups B and C, there were differences between groups B and C, but no statistically significant. Surgery is more likely to relapse in summer than in winter.

CONCLUSION: Pterygium excision combined with self-corneal limbal stem cell transplantation and Tenon capsule closed is an ideal surgical to reduce the recurrence and improve tear film function to some extent.