To report the long-term results of combine conjunctival autograft and overlay amniotic membrane transplantation for treatment of pterygium as a new surgical technique.

In a prospective interventional study, at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, USA, nineteen patients with primary or recurrent pterygium underwent combine conjunctival autograft and overlay amniotic membrane transplantation and followed between 10 to 26 months. Outcome measures included intraoperatively and postoperative complications and the recurrence rate.

Nineteen patients (12 males, 7 females) with pterygium (14 primary, 5 recurrent) underwent combine conjunctival autograft and overlay amniotic membrane transplantation by the same surgeon (VLP). The mean age was 42±12.5 years (range: 29.0 – 73.0 years). The mean follow-up was 17.2 months. In one patient with grade T3 primary pterygium, the lesion recurred (5.2% recurrence rate). No intra and postoperative complication developed.

Combine conjunctival autograft and overlay amniotic membrane transplantation seems a safe and effective surgical technique for treatment pterygium. Protection of the ocular surface during the early postoperative period might be helpful in prevention of the recurrence by reduction of friction-induced inflammation.