As part of our Ask the Expert series, New Eyes corneal specialist Dr. Ksenia Stafeeva discusses a common corneal growth called a pterygium. Dr. Stafeeva addresses the common causes, symptoms, and treatment options to address a pterygium. Keep reading to learn more!
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[accordion_tab title=”What is a pterygium?” class=””]
A pterygium is a very common ocular “wing-like” growth on the surface of the eye, that usually occurs on the inner or outer part of the white part of the eye called the conjunctiva and extends toward the cornea.
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[accordion_tab title=”Ptergyium Video Animation” class=””]
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[accordion_tab title=”Why does pterygium occur?” class=””]
Most commonly pterygium occur in response to UV (ultraviolet light) or in simple terms sun exposure. They are more common in people who spend a lot of time outdoors, live in dry climates, or live close to the equator.
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[accordion_tab title=”Ptergyium Treatment Animation” class=””]
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[accordion_tab title=”What are common symptoms of pterygium?” class=””]
In most patients pterygium is asymptomatic, however some patients experience significant redness and irritation of the eye. As the pterygium continues to grow onto the cornea it erodes onto the superficial and deeper layers of the cornea and can cause the distortion in vision. Many people will also mention that it is cosmetically not appealing.
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[accordion_tab title=”How does pterygium reduces vision?” class=””]
Distortion of corneal architecture and causing corneal irregularity called astigmatism. The larger the pterygium gets, the more corneal irregularity will happen.
A pterygium produces scarring of the cornea and disrupts the normal tear film environment and exacerbates dry eye due to more inflammation.
If the pterygium growth is very large and covers the pupil, vision could become complete blocked.
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[accordion_tab title=”How do you diagnose the pterygium?” class=””]
A pterygium is diagnosed based on clinical appearance and thus requires a complete eye exam for diagnosis.
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[accordion_tab title=”What are my options for treatment choices?” class=””]
- Observation.
- Use of sun UV protection.
- Inflamed pterygium can be treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops, lubricating eye drops and ointments.
- Surgery to excise the pterygium if indicated by an ophthalmologist.
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[accordion_tab title=”How surgery is performed?” class=””]
Pterygium surgery is an outpatient surgery performed with local anesthetic with light sedation to the patient.
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[accordion_tab title=”What is the standard surgical technique?” class=””]
Removal of pterygium followed by application of the conjunctival graft taken from tissue under the upper eyelid. There are other tissue grafts available such as amniotic membrane graft (AMT) to cover the defect.
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[accordion_tab title=”Are there sutures involved to secure the graft? ” class=””]
Usually no. We mostly use tissue glue to adhere the graft and no sutures are required.
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[accordion_tab title=”What are possible complications that occur after the surgery?” class=””]
The majority of patients do really well after surgery and do not experience any major issues after healing period is over. Although very rare, the recurrence of a pterygium can occur between 5-8% of patients. Infection, scarring, double vision are very uncommon.
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If you have a pterygium or another corneal condition, contact our office to schedule an examination with New Eyes corneal expert Dr. Stafeeva.