Pterygium

Pterygium is a raised, fleshy, triangular-shaped growth on your eye’s conjunctive. Long-term exposure to UV light is the main cause. Your eyes may be red, swollen and irritated in mild cases. If pterygium grows, your vision may be blocked or blurred. Treatments include symptom-relieving eye drops and ointment to surgery if your vision is affected. Overview Pterygium, a raised fleshy growth, on your cornea. What is pterygium? Pterygium (pronounced tur-IJ-ee-um) is a raised, fleshy growth on your eye’s conjunctiva. Your conjunctiva is the clear membrane that covers the white of your Pterygium comes from the Greek words pteryx, which means “wing,” and pterygion, which means “fin.” Pterygium is a wing-like or triangular-shaped thickening of an area of conjunctiva tissue. It grows from either corner of your eye, but usually more often from the corner closest to your nose. It spreads outward, sometimes onto the cornea of your eye. Pterygium can affect one or both of your eyes but usually not at the same time. When it affects both eyes at the same time, it’s called bilateral pterygium. Why is pterygium called surfer’s eye? The nickname “surfer’s eye” comes from the idea that surfers work in the same elements that cause pterygium — sun, wind and dusty conditions. Is pterygium a serious condition? Pterygium is not cancer. However, it can grow large enough to cover part of your cornea (the clear dome that covers your pupil and iris). When this happens, it can affect your vision. In ...

Schedule an exam A pterygium (tuh-RIJ-ee-uhm) is an elevated, wedged-shaped bump on the eyeball that starts on the Though it's commonly called "surfer's eye," you don't have to be a surfer or ever see the ocean to get a pterygium. But being in bright sunlight for long hours — especially when you are on water, which reflects the sun's harmful Pterygia are benign (non-cancerous) growths, but they can permanently disfigure the eye. They also can cause discomfort and blurry vision. Causes Although ultraviolet radiation from the sun appears to be the primary cause for the development and growth of pterygia, dust and wind are sometimes implicated too, as is Pterygia usually develop in 30- to 50-year-olds, and these bumps on the eyeball rarely are seen in children. Having light skin and light eyes may put you at increased risk of getting a pterygium. Signs And Symptoms Pterygia usually occur on the side of the eye closer to the nose, but they can also develop on the side closer to the ear as well and can affect one eye or both eyes. Many people with mild surfer's eye may not experience symptoms or require treatment. But large or growing pterygia often cause a gritty, itchy or If a pterygium significantly invades the cornea, it can distort the shape of the front surface of the eye, causing Sometimes people confuse pterygia with eye growths called pingueculae, but they are different. Pterygium Treatment Treatment of surfer's eye depends on the size of the pterygium, whether it is g...

Pterygium surgery is a procedure performed to remove noncancerous The conjunctiva is the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Some cases of a pterygium produce little to no symptoms. Severe overgrowth of conjunctiva tissue can cover the cornea and interfere with your vision. The pterygium surgery is a minimally invasive surgery. It generally takes no more than 30 to 45 minutes. Your doctor will most likely provide you with general guidelines to prepare for your pterygium surgery. You may be required to fast or only eat a light meal beforehand. In addition, if you wear contact lenses, you may be asked to not wear them for at least 24 hours before the procedure. Because you’ll be lightly sedated, doctors will require you to arrange transportation after the surgery, as you’ll be unable to drive yourself. The pterygium surgical procedure is fairly quick and low risk: • Your doctor will sedate you and numb your eyes to prevent discomfort during surgery. They will then clean the surrounding areas. • Your doctor will remove the pterygium along with some associated conjunctiva tissue. • Once the pterygium is removed, your doctor will replace it with a graft of associated membrane tissue to prevent recurrent pterygium growths. Sutures vs. glue Once the pterygium is removed, doctors will either use sutures or fibrin glue to secure the conjunctiva tissue graft in its place. Both techniques reduce the possibility of recurring pterygia. While u...

A pterygium is a triangular or wedge shaped growth that develops on the conjunctiva of the eye and grows onto the cornea. The conjunctiva is the clear, thin membrane that covers the white of the eye. The cornea is the clear covering on the front of the eye. Pterygia are not harmful, but they can cause eye irritation and changes in vision. This article outlines the causes and symptoms of pterygia, as well as the treatment options available. It also discusses the outlook for people who develop this eye condition. Pterygia typically develop in the inner corner of the eye, next to the nose. They may grow in one or both eyes. In the early stages, a pterygium may not be very noticeable. It is also unlikely to cause any discomfort or changes in vision. If the pterygium continues to grow, however, it may become more visible. The growth will typically appear fleshy and triangular. It may be red, pink, or yellow. A person may also experience: • redness of the conjunctiva • itching, dryness, and • a sensation of having sand or grit in the eye If the growth spreads to the cornea in the center of the eye, a person may experience blurred vision. Some people refer to a pterygium as “surfer’s eye,” because the condition often affects people who spend a lot of time in the sun. However, pterygia can also develop as a result of eye irritation from wind, dust, or dirt. One The authors note that although UV exposure does play a role, even people who have low UV exposure can develop pterygia. L...

Medical condition Pterygium (eye) Other names Surfer's eye Pterygium growing onto the cornea Pinkish, triangular tissue growth on the Vision loss Usual onset Gradual Causes Unknown Prevention Sunglasses, hat Treatment None, eye lubricant, surgery Benign Frequency 1% to 33% A pterygium of the eye (plural pterygia or pterygiums, also called surfer's eye) is a pinkish, roughly triangular tissue growth of the The cause is unclear. Prevention may include wearing sunglasses and a hat if in an area with strong sunlight. The frequency of the condition varies from 1% to 33% in various regions of the world. Symptoms of pterygium include persistent redness, [ citation needed] Cause [ ] The exact cause is unknown, but it is associated with excessive exposure to wind, sunlight, or sand. Therefore, it is more likely to occur in populations that inhabit the areas near the equator, as well as windy locations. In addition, pterygia are twice as likely to occur in men than women. Pathology [ ] Pterygium in the conjunctiva is characterized by elastotic degeneration of Stocker's line. The location of the line can give an indication of the pattern of growth. The predominance of pterygia on the nasal side is possibly a result of Some research also suggests a genetic predisposition due to an expression of The pterygium is composed of several segments: • Fuchs' Patches (minute gray blemishes that disperse near the pterygium head) • Stocker's Line (a brownish line composed of iron deposits) • Hood...

Pinguecula vs. Pterygium Pinguecula and pterygium are both caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and made worse by chronic dryness or irritation. However, there are some important differences between the two. A pingueculais asmall, raised, white- or yellow-colored growththat is limited to the conjunctiva; it can occur on the inner or outer side of the eye. A pinguecula may contain deposits of protein, fat or calcium. For most people it does not affect vision, but in severe cases, it can interfere with the way the tears cover the eye, causing dryness, redness and inflammation. Apterygium, also known as surfer’s eye, is a raised, wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva that extends onto the cornea — the outer layer of the eye. These growths also can occur on either side of the eye. In some instances they remain small, but they can potentially grow to the point of feeling uncomfortable or affecting vision. Pterygia usually cause irritation, redness or a sensation of something in the eye, and sometimes cause decreased or distorted vision after changing the shape of the cornea. Diagnosis of Pinguecula and Pterygium Pinguecula and pterygium can be diagnosed by aslit-lamp examination from your eye doctor. In some cases, the growth has to be removed and later examined under a microscope to make a diagnosis, as some precancerous growths can appear similar to pinguecula or pterygium. Prevention of Pinguecula and Pterygium • Shielding your eyes from UV radiation will help ...

Pinguecula and pterygium are growths on your eye’s Pinguecula is a Pterygiumis a growth of fleshy tissue (has blood vessels) that may start as a pinguecula. It can remain small or grow large enough to cover part of the Both pinguecula and pterygium are believed to be caused by a combination of exposure to Avoiding pinguecula and pterygium lf you have had a pinguecula or a pterygium at least once before, try to avoid the things that cause these growths. Here are some ways: • wear • protect your eyes from dust by wearing • use Symptoms of pinguecula and pterygium can range from mild to severe. They include: • redness and swelling of the • a yellow spot or bump on the • dry, itchy, • Pinguecula treatment In many cases pinguecula and pterygium do not need to be treated. However, if your eyes are uncomfortable or your vision is affected, you may need treatment. Usually eye drops can relieve any discomfort from pinguecula, and surgery is usually not recommended or needed. Pterygium treatment Your ophthalmologist can treat the discomfort, redness or swelling from a pterygium with lubricating or steroid eye drops. If a pterygium grows large enough to cause problems, your The best way to keep pinguecula and pterygium from coming back is to avoid

Contents • 1 Disease Entity • 1.1 Etiology • 1.2 Risk Factors • 1.3 General Pathology • 1.4 Pathophysiology • 1.5 Primary prevention • 2 Diagnosis • 2.1 Physical examination • 2.2 Signs • 2.3 Symptoms • 2.4 Clinical diagnosis • 2.5 Diagnostic procedures • 2.6 Differential diagnosis • 3 Management • 3.1 General treatment • 3.2 Medical therapy • 3.3 Medical follow up • 3.4 Surgery • 3.5 Surgical follow up • 3.6 Complications • 3.7 Prognosis • 4 Additional Resources • 5 References Disease Entity Pterygium, from the Greek pterygos meaning “wing”, is a common ocular surface lesion originating in the limbal conjunctiva within the palpebral fissure with progressive involvement of the cornea. The lesion occurs more frequently at the nasal limbus than the temporal with a characteristic wing-like appearance. Etiology The pathogenesis of pterygia is highly correlated with UV exposure. An increased incidence is noted in latitudes nearer the equator and in individuals with a history of increased UV exposure (outdoor work). Some studies have shown a slightly higher incidence in males than females, which may only reflect a higher rate of UV radiation. Risk Factors UV radiation, proximity to the equator, dry climates, outdoor lifestyle General Pathology Histologically, pterygia are an accumulation of degenerated subepithelial tissue which is basophilic with a characteristic slate gray appearance on H&E staining. Vermiform or elastotic degeneration refers to the wavy worm-like appearance o...

Pterygium A pterygium is a growth of the conjunctiva or mucous membrane that covers the white part of your eye over the cornea. The cornea is the clear front covering of the eye. This benign or noncancerous growth is often shaped like a wedge. A pterygium usually doesn’t cause problems or require treatment, but it can be removed if it interferes with your vision. The exact cause of pterygium isn’t known. One explanation is that too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can lead to these growths. It occurs more often in people who live in warm climates and spend a lot of time outdoors in sunny or windy environments. People whose eyes are exposed to certain elements on a regular basis have a higher risk of developing this condition. These elements include: • pollen • sand • smoke • wind A pterygium can lead to severe scarring on your cornea, but this is rare. Scarring on the cornea needs to be treated because it can cause vision loss. For minor cases, treatment usually involves eye drops or ointment to treat inflammation. In the more serious cases, treatment can involve surgical removal of the pterygium. Diagnosing a pterygium is straightforward. Your eye doctor may diagnose this condition based on a physical examination using a • Visual acuity test . This test involves reading letters on an eye chart. • Corneal topography. This medical mapping technique is used to measure curvature changes in your cornea. • Photo documentation. This procedure involves taking pictures to t...