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

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A pterygium is a benign,
or non-cancerous, growth

that develops
on the conjunctiva of the eye.

The conjunctiva
is a clear, thin tissue

that covers the white part
of the eye,

known as the sclera.

Pterygiums may develop
in one or both eyes.

The lesion is characterized

by a pinkish, triangular-shaped
tissue growth

of conjunctiva
that extends towards the cornea,

a transparent window
covering the front of the eye.

It usually occurs
on the nasal side of the eye.

The color of the lesion varies
from pink to red in color.

It may be small,
or may grow large enough

to interfere with vision.

A pterygium
is also called "surfer's eye."

Causes: the cause
of pterygium eye disease is not known,

but it can occur more often
in people who spend time outdoors

with frequent or excessive exposure
to sunlight or wind.

People who spend
considerable time in the sun,

such as farmers, fishermen,

and people living
near the equator,

are more likely
to develop pterygium.

Genetic predisposition
is another factor that may play a role.

Symptoms: the primary symptom
of a pterygium

is a painless area
of elevated tissue

with visible blood vessels

on the inner or outer border
of the cornea.

The condition
can cause extreme eye discomfort,

including burning, irritation,
redness,

tearing, foreign body sensation,

and astigmatism.

Visual defect:
if the growth becomes large enough,

it may begin to inhibit vision.

Diagnosis: to diagnose pterygium,

your ophthalmologist or eye doctor

conducts
a complete physical examination

of the eye and eyelids.

No special tests are necessary.

Treatment:
treatment depends on the size

and extent of the pterygium.

Treatment is usually not required
in mild cases.

When a pterygium
becomes red and irritated,

steroid eye drops
may be prescribed

to reduce the inflammation.

If these drops are recommended,

you should remain under the care
of your ophthalmologist.

In cases in which the growth is unsightly,

or vision is threatened,
your ophthalmologist may recommend

surgical removal of the tissue.

The patient will be provided
pre-operative counseling

to inform them that,
although surgery is usually successful,

sometimes the symptoms
are not completely relieved.

The recurrence rate is frequent

and tends to spread quickly
after recurring.

The most common surgical technique
used today

involves a simple excision
of the pterygium,

combined
with conjunctiva auto-grafting.

During the procedure,
the pterygium is removed,

and the gap in the conjunctiva,

left by the removal
of the pterygium,

is filled with a tissue transplant
from the upper eyelid.

The graft is held in place either
with sutures,

fibrin, sealant, or glue.

This graft covers the excised area

and acts as a barrier
to recurrence.

In some cases,
following simple excision,

a topical therapy
and a beta radiation

may be used to minimize
the recurrence of pterygium.

Although these therapies may slow
the regrowth of the pterygium,

complications,
such as ulceration and perforation

in the wall of the eye may occur,

so are not always recommended.

In severe cases,
where the growth extends

towards the center of the cornea,

a laser treatment may be needed.

An excimer laser is used

to smooth the surface irregularities

and improve vision.

Post operative care:
following surgery,

you may experience soreness
and irritation

in your eye for a few days,

for which antibiotic-steroid
combination eye drops

may be recommended.

You may also have redness
of the eye,

which usually resolves on its own.

You can return
to your normal activities

within one or two weeks
after surgery.

Make sure to use the eye drops,

and take protective measures,

as directed by your doctor.

Risks and complications,:

as with any procedure,

risks and complications may occur.

The pterygium may recur

during the first 12 months
following surgery.

Other surgical complications
include scarring

and perforation of the cornea,

clear outer covering
of the eyeball,

and astigmatism, blurred vision.

Prevention: preventative measures

include protecting the eyes
from ultraviolet rays

by wearing sunglasses with UV protection

during outdoor activities

and applying artificial teardrops
to lubricate the eyes.

A pterygium is often a painless,

benign lesion in the eye

that does not cause any problems
or require any treatment.

However, in some cases,
it can become inflamed,

causing extreme eye discomfort,

and spread over the cornea,
affecting vision.

Conservative treatment
with eye drops is used initially,

with surgery recommended
only when symptoms are unresolved

with medical therapy
and vision is affected.