Pterygium Pterygium

What is a pterygium?

A pterygium is a raised wedge-shaped growth

that occurs on the surface of the eye. It is thought
to be related to increased exposure to ultra-violet
(UV) light, as it is more common in people who
have lived in sunny areas.
Pterygium starts as an area of redness and
thickening on the conjunctiva, usually on the
inner aspect of the white of the eye. In some
cases, the pterygium may extend across onto
the cornea, which is the clear front window of the
eye. If the pterygium grows towards the middle
of the cornea, it should be surgically removed.
Normal eyeeyelid
conjunctivairis
pupil
Eye with pterygium
corneaconjunctivairisgrowthontocorneaNormal eye
eyelid
conjunctiva
iris
pupil
Pterygia can cause a number of problems.
They may be easily visible and cause cosmetic
embarrassment. They often become sore, red,
and gritty, especially with wind, smoke or dust.
Eventually the pterygium may interfere with
the vision either by distorting the cornea or by
extending over the pupil.
How can a pterygium be treated?
The comfort of a pterygium may be improved by
using eye drops such as artificial tear drops or
decongestant drops. These often help with the
redness of the eye as well. Some pterygia, which
continue to cause problems, may require surgical
removal.
Surgical procedure
In surgery, the pterygium is removed and a
small piece of the conjunctiva, which is the thin
transparent skin that covers the white of the eye,
is placed into this site from under the upper lid.
The surgery is performed under local anaesthetic.
There should be no pain during the surgery,
which takes approximately half an hour. Following
the procedure, a prescription is given for eye
ointment or eye drops and pain relief tablets.
For approximately 1-2 weeks following surgery,
getting water, dust or dirt in the eye should be
avoided.
A
Eye with pterygium
Will the pterygium grow back?
One of the main problems with the removal of a
pterygium is that re-growth may occur, although
this happens in fewer than 1% with newer surgical
techniques. To reduce the risk of recurrence,
you should try to reduce exposure to ultra-violet
light following surgery by wearing sunglasses or
(A) The pterygium is lifted free of the eye and excised.
(B) A graft of conjunctiva from under the upper eyelid is
used to cover the defect.
A
B
Eye free of pterygium with conjunctival graft in place
a hat when outdoors. Your surgeon may advise
you not to have the surgery performed over the
summer months for this reason.
Protect your eyes from sun
exposure
Protect yor eyes from dust and
wind
Use eye drops to increase
comfort
For more information on pterygium please
contact our friendly specialist team.
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