Pterygium

Pterygium is usually a mild condition and doesn’t cause severe symptoms in most of the cases.

Pterygium

Pterygium is a growth on the eye’s conjunctiva that is raised and fleshy, and it can be in a triangular or wing-like shape. It can be white or pink, and it may include blood vessels.

Causes and risk factors of pterygium

• Causes of pterygium include long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and continuous irritation from dry and hot wind, dust, and weather.
• The risk of surfer’s eye increases due to the following factors: genetics, being older than 60 years old, vitamin A deficiency, and human papilloma virus (HPV).

Symptoms of pterygium

Pterygium may not cause symptoms at first, but they can appear as the condition develops, and they include:

• Conjunctivitis.
• Feeling that there is something in the eye.
• Dry eye.
• Watery eye.
• Eye itching, burning, and pain.
• With time, pterygium can lead to blurred or double vision and problems in wearing contact lenses.

Diagnosis of pterygium

• Eye exam.

Treatment of pterygium

Treating pterygium depends on the case:

• If it doesn’t cause any symptoms or issues, it’s left under monitoring.
• If it starts to cause symptoms, the treatment may be eye drops or eye ointments.
• Severe cases may need pterygium surgery.