What is a pterygium?
A pterygium is a benign, triangular-shaped growth of the conjunctiva (the thin clear layer of tissue that lies over the white of the eyeball) that grows onto the cornea. A pterygium is made up of collagen and fibrovascular tissue that grows from the conjunctiva and eventually advances onto the cornea (the clear window of the eye). Pterygia commonly located on the inner or middle portion of the eye (toward the nose).
What causes a pterygium?
The exact cause is unknown. However, it has been associated with excessive sun or UV exposure, wind, dust and sand exposure. As such, protecting your eyes from the elements can help slow the growth of a pterygium. Even though a pterygium is considered a benign growth of the eye, it can become an annoyance when it becomes irritated or inflamed. Should you notice any type of growth on the eye, it is important to have it properly diagnosed by your local optometrist.
What can be done to treat a pterygium?
Normally there is no discomfort associated with a pterygium and it is asymptomatic; hence nothing is done for it. With mild to moderate pterygia, where the patient has symptoms, artificial tear supplements and/or mild anti-inflammatory drops can be used to minimize symptoms. If a pterygium becomes very large, irritated or makes it way toward the centre of the cornea, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist to surgically remove the excess tissue. Unfortunately, even with complete removal, a pterygium can come back.
What are the risk factors for pterygium if left untreated?
As a pterygium grows over the surface of the cornea and towards the centre of the eye, problems increase. Patients will notice their eye feels irritated all the time and feel like something is in it.