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Pterygium || what is pterygium || treatment and surgery options ||

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    [piano music]
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    A pterygium is a benign,
    or non-cancerous, growth
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    that develops
    on the conjunctiva of the eye.
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    The conjunctiva
    is a clear, thin tissue
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    that covers the white part
    of the eye,
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    known as the sclera.
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    Pterygiums may develop
    in one or both eyes.
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    The lesion is characterized
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    by a pinkish, triangular-shaped
    tissue growth
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    of conjunctiva
    that extends towards the cornea,
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    a transparent window
    covering the front of the eye.
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    It usually occurs
    on the nasal side of the eye.
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    The color of the lesion varies
    from pink to red in color.
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    It may be small,
    or may grow large enough
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    to interfere with vision.
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    A pterygium
    is also called "surfer's eye."
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    Causes: the cause
    of pterygium eye disease is not known,
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    but it can occur more often
    in people who spend time outdoors
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    with frequent or excessive exposure
    to sunlight or wind.
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    People who spend
    considerable time in the sun,
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    such as farmers, fishermen,
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    and people living
    near the equator,
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    are more likely
    to develop pterygium.
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    Genetic predisposition
    is another factor that may play a role.
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    Symptoms: the primary symptom
    of a pterygium
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    is a painless area
    of elevated tissue
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    with visible blood vessels
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    on the inner or outer border
    of the cornea.
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    The condition
    can cause extreme eye discomfort,
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    including burning, irritation,
    redness,
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    tearing, foreign body sensation,
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    and astigmatism.
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    Visual defect:
    if the growth becomes large enough,
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    it may begin to inhibit vision.
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    Diagnosis: to diagnose pterygium,
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    your ophthalmologist or eye doctor
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    conducts
    a complete physical examination
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    of the eye and eyelids.
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    No special tests are necessary.
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    Treatment:
    treatment depends on the size
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    and extent of the pterygium.
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    Treatment is usually not required
    in mild cases.
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    When a pterygium
    becomes red and irritated,
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    steroid eye drops
    may be prescribed
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    to reduce the inflammation.
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    If these drops are recommended,
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    you should remain under the care
    of your ophthalmologist.
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    In cases in which the growth is unsightly,
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    or vision is threatened,
    your ophthalmologist may recommend
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    surgical removal of the tissue.
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    The patient will be provided
    pre-operative counseling
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    to inform them that,
    although surgery is usually successful,
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    sometimes the symptoms
    are not completely relieved.
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    The recurrence rate is frequent
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    and tends to spread quickly
    after recurring.
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    The most common surgical technique
    used today
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    involves a simple excision
    of the pterygium,
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    combined
    with conjunctiva auto-grafting.
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    During the procedure,
    the pterygium is removed,
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    and the gap in the conjunctiva,
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    left by the removal
    of the pterygium,
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    is filled with a tissue transplant
    from the upper eyelid.
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    The graft is held in place either
    with sutures,
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    fibrin, sealant, or glue.
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    This graft covers the excised area
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    and acts as a barrier
    to recurrence.
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    In some cases,
    following simple excision,
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    a topical therapy
    and a beta radiation
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    may be used to minimize
    the recurrence of pterygium.
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    Although these therapies may slow
    the regrowth of the pterygium,
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    complications,
    such as ulceration and perforation
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    in the wall of the eye may occur,
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    so are not always recommended.
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    In severe cases,
    where the growth extends
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    towards the center of the cornea,
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    a laser treatment may be needed.
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    An excimer laser is used
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    to smooth the surface irregularities
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    and improve vision.
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    Post operative care:
    following surgery,
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    you may experience soreness
    and irritation
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    in your eye for a few days,
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    for which antibiotic-steroid
    combination eye drops
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    may be recommended.
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    You may also have redness
    of the eye,
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    which usually resolves on its own.
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    You can return
    to your normal activities
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    within one or two weeks
    after surgery.
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    Make sure to use the eye drops,
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    and take protective measures,
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    as directed by your doctor.
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    Risks and complications,:
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    as with any procedure,
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    risks and complications may occur.
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    The pterygium may recur
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    during the first 12 months
    following surgery.
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    Other surgical complications
    include scarring
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    and perforation of the cornea,
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    clear outer covering
    of the eyeball,
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    and astigmatism, blurred vision.
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    Prevention: preventative measures
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    include protecting the eyes
    from ultraviolet rays
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    by wearing sunglasses with UV protection
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    during outdoor activities
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    and applying artificial teardrops
    to lubricate the eyes.
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    A pterygium is often a painless,
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    benign lesion in the eye
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    that does not cause any problems
    or require any treatment.
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    However, in some cases,
    it can become inflamed,
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    causing extreme eye discomfort,
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    and spread over the cornea,
    affecting vision.
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    Conservative treatment
    with eye drops is used initially,
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    with surgery recommended
    only when symptoms are unresolved
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    with medical therapy
    and vision is affected.
Title:
Pterygium || what is pterygium || treatment and surgery options ||
Description:

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Video Language:
English
Duration:
05:35

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