People who spend most of their lives in the sun, especially near the equator, have a higher risk of pterygium. This wing-shaped, fleshy growth develops on the conjunctiva, the translucent mucous membrane covering the eye and lining the inside of the eyelids. Long-term UV exposure and dryness linked to outdoor professionals, such as surfers, farmers and fishermen, can cause pterygium and lead to redness, swelling and irritated eyes that may progress into blurry or blocked vision.
Laser Eye Center™ has helped countless patients get rid of pinguecula and pterygium growths on the whites of the eye (conjunctiva). Our eye surgeons have performed over 500,000 successful procedures and trained renowned eye surgeons in the Los Angeles area. We have 30 years of proven success in providing personalized eye care and procedures for lifelong clear and healthy vision.
La carnosidad en los ojos a menudo se denomina “ojo de surfista” porque esta excrecencia rosada y carnosa afecta a las personas que pasan la mayor parte del tiempo expuestas directamente al sol. La condición se ve agravada aún más por los climas secos y la contaminación del aire. El tejido puede comenzar como una pinguécula o una excrecencia elevada de color amarillo. La carnosidad se desarrolla en la conjuntiva, la capa mucosa transparente que cubre la parte blanca del ojo. Si bien las gotas para los ojos y los ungüentos recetados pueden aliviar los síntomas de la carnosidad, la cirugía para extirpar la excrecencia es la única forma de lograr un alivio a largo plazo.
Living in Southern California, you are probably familiar with the damage that the sun can do to your skin. But did you know that the sun is also potentially harmful to your eyes?
Evidence suggests that sun exposure can contribute to the
formation of pterygia, or fleshy growths that develop on the eyeball. Pterygia are
common in surfers, sunbathers and other people who enjoy spending time outdoors
but may not wear adequate sun protection. Thanks to our sunny location, we see
a lot of cases of pterygia at Laser Eye Center.
Although in their early stages pterygia may not cause
noticeable symptoms, they can grow slowly and eventually cause dry eye symptoms
and compromise vision. Moderate to serious cases of pterygia must be treated
with surgical procedures, such as the autograft technique.
Pterygium At a Glance
Pterygium, taken from the Greek word pterygos,
meaning “little wing,” is a growth that develops on the conjunctiva, the thin
covering of the white portion of the eye. Early on, a pterygium starts out slow
and may not cause any serious symptoms. Sometimes it can cause symptoms similar
to dry eye disease, including tearing, itching or burning eyes.
As a pterygium gradually enlarges, the pink, red or white
lesion may become more noticeable and irritating. Most people find them
cosmetically unappealing, and they may make it feel like something is stuck in
the eye. If a pterygium approaches the center of the cornea, it may threaten to
interfere with visual clarity. Particularly aggressive pterygia can lead to
astigmatism and blurred vision.
The Autograft Technique for
Pterygia
Large or problematic pterygia must be surgically removed, as
no medical cure exists.
With simple surgical excision, there is a high risk of
recurrence. But studies suggest that excising the pterygium and placing a
tissue graft over the area from the patient’s own body where the lesion was
removed significantly lowers the likelihood of recurrence. To achieve this, we use
tissue grafts from another part of the eye (known as autografts).
During the outpatient procedure, the pterygium is surgically
removed, and a graft taken from the patient’s own eye is placed over the area
where the lesion was removed. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to one
hour to perform.
Afterward, we prescribe antibiotics and/or steroid eyedrops
or ointments to reduce inflammation and prevent the risk of infection or
recurrence.
If you have been diagnosed with a pterygium or have noticed
an unusual growth on your eye, you should schedule an appointment with our
team. Call (800) 805-2737 or email us today and
request an appointment.
Pterygium, also known as “surfer’s eye,” is a benign, elevated growth that begins on the conjuctiva (the white part of the eye) and can move onto the cornea. In most cases, pterygium must be surgically removed to relieve discomfort and restore a normal-looking appearance to the eye. Pterygium surgery is a safe procedure that can be performed in-office in about 30 minutes. If you are interested in undergoing pterygium surgery, you should know that there is a chance for recurrence (regrowth) after the procedure. In this blog post, the eye experts at Laser Eye Center™ explain why this is and what can be done to prevent recurrence.
Pterygium, also known as “surfer’s eye,” is an elevated, wedged-shaped bump on the eyeball that can cause tearing, blurry vision, and in some cases, astigmatism. Pterygium occurs from ongoing UV light damage to the tissue underneath the white of the eye, as well as excessive exposure to wind and dirt. Although benign, pterygium can cause discomfort. In this blog post, the eye experts at Laser Eye Center™ review the treatment options for pterygium.
Lubricants and Eye Drops
A comprehensive eye exam with one of our trusted eye doctors can detect a pterygium growth and determine the best treatment option for you. If a pterygium is small, your eye doctor may prescribe lubricants or eye drops to reduce symptoms such as swelling and redness. Topical cyclosporine is also another option, which is also commonly used to treat chronic dry eye disease.
Pterygium Surgery
For some people, pterygium can interfere with vision and permanently disfigure the eye. In these cases, surgery can remove the pterygium and restore vision. During surgery, the pterygium is removed along with the eye tissue that covers the clear mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids, also known as the conjunctiva. Next, your eye surgeon will place and adhere a piece of surface eye tissue onto the affected area, a process called autologous conjunctival autografting. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and patients are fully recovered in a couple of days.
How to Prevent Pterygium Regrowth
Unfortunately, pterygium growths can reoccur. Your eye surgeon may prescribe eye drops for several weeks to decrease prevent regrowth as well as swelling.
The best way to prevent pterygium from recurring is to protect your eyes from the sun. Here are some important tips to keep in mind when outdoors:
Always choose sunglasses that offer 100 percent protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses that come with a “UV 400” label are also a great option because they block all light rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, which include the tiniest of rays.
Sunglasses that curve around the head (wraparound glasses) minimize your eyes’ exposure to the sun by blocking UV light from reaching the eyes from the side of the face. Large frame sunglasses can also offer more protection against the sun, so long they still offer 100 percent UV protection.
Performance sunglasses offer sun protection and are ideal for outdoor activities such as bike riding and kayaking. Performance glasses also help shield the eyes from wind and dirt.
Contact Laser Eye Center™ Today
To learn more about pterygium, schedule an appointment with Laser Eye Center™. One of our friendly eye doctors will be happy to answer all of your questions. Please contact us by calling 800-80-LASER (52737) today.
