Abstract:AIM: To explore the clinical value of Tuiyi Mingmu decoction combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation in the treatment of pterygium.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed to collect 80 patients(98 eyes)with pterygium admitted to the hospital from January 2016 to January 2018. The patients were divided into transplantation group(autologous limbal stem cell transplantation, n=34 cases, 39 eyes)and combined group(Tuiyi Mingmu decoction + autologous limbal stem cell transplantation, n=46 cases, 59 eyes). The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), corneal diopter, corneal astigmatism, tear break-up time(BUT)and Schirmer I test(S I t)tear secretion were compared between the two groups before operation and at 1mo after operation, and the corneal epithelial repair time, incidence rate of complications and recurrence rate at 12mo of follow-up were counted.
RESULTS: Before operation, there were no significant differences in the UCVA, corneal diopter and corneal astigmatism between the two groups(P>0.05). At 1mo after operation, the UCVA was increased while the corneal diopter and corneal astigmatism were decreased in the two groups, and the UCVA in combined group was higher than that in transplantation group while the corneal diopter and corneal astigmatism were lower than those in transplantation group(P<0.05). Before operation, there were no statistically significant differences in the BUT and S I t between the two groups(P>0.05). At 1mo after operation, the BUT and S I t were increased in the two groups, and the indexes in combined group were higher than those in transplantation group(P<0.05). The corneal epithelial repair time in combined group was shorter than that in transplantation group(P<0.05), and the incidence rate of postoperative complications and recurrence rate at 12mo of follow-up were lower than those in transplantation group(P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Tuiyi Mingmu decoction combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation can improve the visual acuity of patients with pterygium, reduce corneal astigmatism, promote the repair of corneal epithelial cells, and reduce the recurrence rate, with few complications and definite safety.