Over two separate time periods, 136 consecutive pterygium operations in 103 patients were performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. These patients were evaluated for recurrence of their pterygia in a retrospective study by chart review and re-examination. In 136 eyes there was an overall recurrence rate of 46% using a number of therapies. This study highlights the relatively unsatisfactory result of pterygium removal in a day surgery and eye outpatient department surgical setting by a number of trainee ophthalmologists, and stresses the need for a reassessment of pterygium and its treatment.