Pterygium Surgery

A Pterygium invading the cornea

 A pterygium is triangular growth that starts on the clear tissue of the eye that can spread to the cornea. It is called a pterygium because it resembles a small wing.

This noncancerous growth may occur on one or both eyes. It’s more common in people who spend a lot of time in the sun, such as those who work outdoors or spend time on the water. In Australia it is also called The Surfers Eye.

The painless growth may be slightly raised and contain blood vessels. It may cause irritation and can affect vision if it grows into the Cornea.

Treatment

In many cases, pterygium treatment involves the use of simple eye drops to manage symptoms, such as inflammation, mild pain, itching or a feeling of having grit in the eye. Treatment for a minor irritation includes eye drops or ointments that help to lubricate and soothe the cornea. For severe inflammation, you may be prescribed a short course of steroid eye drops. These medications only ease the symptoms and are not a cure.

If the growth is significant and continues to spread across the cornea or causes other problems, pterygium removal is usually recommended to eliminate associated symptoms and avoid adverse effects on vision. Some people choose to have pterygium surgery for cosmetic reasons. Using modern micro-surgical techniques, the surgeon will carefully remove the pterygium and replace it with a graft of healthy tissue taken from the same eye, which is fixed into place. There is a chance that the condition may recur following surgery, but the process of grafting helps to prevent this.

Prevention

When outdoors, wear good-quality, wrap-around sunglasses as recommended by an optometrist. Choose sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard and have an EPF UV rating of either 9 or 10.Surfers and others involved in water sports should always wear sunglasses during these activities.

A wide-brimmed hat will also protect your eyes from sun and wind exposure.