Pterygium is an ocular surface disease formed by many factors and associate with a series of changes caused by ultraviolet irradiation and radiation, its pathogenesis is still uncertain. Elevated vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), inflammatory infiltrates, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, epithelial-mesenchymal cell transition(EMT), and tumor suppressor gene inactivation are currently recognized causes of pterygium. The mechanism of this factor in pterygium deveopment is still not completely understood. This review aimed to investigate the role of these factors in pterygium formation and provide targeted therapy and effective preventive measures for clinical diagnosis and treatment.