Pterygium grows on the conjunctiva, which is the clear mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids. This means that your eyes are in the care of a doctor who has extensive training and experience to handle not only regular eye treatments but also those emergency cases that can save someone’s eye health or vision.“Surfer’s eye” is a slang term for an eye growth called pterygium. Nishita Patel, is Halifax Health’s only eye trauma surgeon at our Level II Trauma Center. You will have confidence that you are in the best hands during your treatment plan as our ophthalmologist, Dr. Halifax Health – Ophthalmology provides comprehensive treatment or surgical plans for your eye condition needs. (This may be more likely if you are under age 40.) Going over your options with an eye care provider will allow you to understand if surgery makes sense for you. Unfortunately, pterygia often grows back after surgical removal. Your eye’s appearance bothers you a lot.You have severe eye irritation that won’t go away with other treatment.Your pterygium is causing vision problems or is getting larger.Your eye care provider may be more likely to recommend surgery if: Only surgery can remove your pterygium, but other treatments may help reduce symptoms. Prescription eye drops, gels, or ointments, if the over-the-counter products do not help.Over-the-counter products to help with redness or irritation, like artificial tears or other eye drops, gels, or ointments.If symptoms develop, it is recommended you see an eye care provider to determine treatment. If your pterygium is not causing any symptoms, it may not need treatment. Blurred vision (if the pterygium gets close to the middle of your cornea, the front window of your eye).Many people don’t have any symptoms, especially if the pterygium is still small. If someone in your family has had a pterygium, you may be at greater risk as well. Not using sunglasses may further increase your risk. Spending a lot of time in the sun may increase your risks for pterygia. Pterygia may be slightly more common in men than in women. They are more common in sunny climates and in people who do outdoor work. Pterygia are most common in adults in their 20s to 40s, although people of all ages can get them.
Having certain genes may contribute to pterygia in some people as well, but there are currently no definitive causes. What causes pterygia?Įxposure to ultraviolet light plays some role. If it grows and covers your cornea, it is more likely to cause visual symptoms. It may grow over a period of months to years and then stop for a while. If you have a pterygium, it might stop growing at some point, or it might continue to grow throughout your lifetime. Though a pterygium is a type of growth, it is not a type of cancer and will not spread to other parts of your body. The name “pterygium” is Greek for “wing.” It refers to the triangular shape of the growth. This is the clear window in the front part of your eye that caps the colored iris and dark pupil. From there, the abnormal tissue can spread and cover your cornea. This growth usually starts on the white part of your eye that is closer to your nose. Sometimes, part of this conjunctiva starts to grow abnormally. The conjunctiva is the thin layer that lines the inside of your eyelids and the surface of your eye. It is usually only a minor problem unless it causes visual symptoms. A pterygium (plural, pterygia) is a type of noncancerous growth on your eye.