Pterygium: what is it?

Full house yesterday in our base screening.  Post-op patients were too many as well as new ones.

Interesting case was pterygium.

 

This man has got pterygium in both eyes and one eye was very advanced as it almost covered his whole pupil.  Cases like this should be brought to an ophthalmologist for surgery.  It is the only way to remove a pterygium, but the results can be disappointing. Even with modern techniques, the recurrence rate is often as high as 30 to 40 percent and they tend to come back bigger and faster.

advanced pterygium

	Reasons for Removing a Pterygium
	Although most pterygia are harmless and can be left alone safely; they are surgically removed for the following reasons: Discomfort: If a pterygium is causing excessive irritation due to dryness / inflammation or a persistent foreign body sensation. Vision: If a pterygium is obstructing vision. (like the picture above) Cosmetic: If a pterygium is unsightly or cosmetically unappealing.

always use sunglasses to protect your eyes

Common cause of pterygium is UV Radiation so it is best to protect your eyes from the sunlight by using sunglasses or wide-brimmed hats.   By protecting our eyes from sunlight, dust, and other environmental irritants, we prevent pterygium to develop.

use wide-brimmed hat

Farmers, fishermen, surfers, golfers, welders, and gardeners are easy targets for pterygium.  

Common Signs and Symptoms

• redness
• irritation
• dryness
• inflammation
• tearing
• foreign body sensation