AIM: To evaluate the effects on recovering of corneal wound and postoperative discomfort of different methods for primary pterygium.

METHODS: Forty-seven cases(60 eyes)of primary pterygium were excised under microscope with limbal epithelial transplantation, with sharp dissection(24 cases, 30 eyes, Group A)and blunt dissection(23 cases, 30 eyes, Group B). All cases were followed up for 1d to 1mo.

RESULTS: The recovering of corneal wound was better in Group B on 1st day and 3rd day after surgery. Pain, photophobia and tears, foreign body sensation were more serious in group A on 1st day after surgery with a statistically significant difference(P=0.005,0.015,0.012). Pain, photophobia and tears, foreign body sensation were more serious in Group A on 3rd day after surgery with a statistically significant difference(P=0.019,0.018,0.015). There was no statistically significant difference on 1wk and 1mo after surgery(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Compared with sharp dissection, primary pterygium excised with blunt dissection can significantly improve recovering of corneal wound and postoperative discomfort.