Pterygium

What is a pterygium?

A pterygium is a growth of the white part of your eye, called the conjunctiva, that can progressively grow onto part of your cornea. When your eye is exposed to longterm UV sunlight, it causes a degeneration of the conjunctiva and development of a pterygium. Some symptoms of ptergyium may include:

• foreign body sensation

• redness

• irritation

• blurry vision from induced astigmatism

What is the treatment for pterygium?

Conservative treatment includes using artificial tears to lubricate your eye and relieve some of the discomfort. If your eye becomes red and inflamed from the pterygium, then you may be prescribed a topical steroid eye drop.

Importantly, always remember to wear sunglasses to help avoid further progression and/or recurrence of the pterygium!

If conservative treatment is unsuccessful and/or the pterygium is large and visually significant, you may want to surgically remove the abnormal tissue.