Pterygium

A pterygium (pronounced te-ri-gi-um, plural :ptegyria) is a triangular shaped lump of tissue that grows from the conjunctiva (the thin membrane which covers the white of the eye) on to the cornea (the clear central part of the eye). Pterygia often occur in both eyes, usually on the side of the eye closer to the nose. A pterygium is not a cancer. People sometimes confuse pterygia with cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye and cannot be seen easily with the naked eye.

Pterygium

Causes of Pterygia

The exact cause of pterygia is not known, but they are strongly associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation and hot, dry environments. Pterygia are more common in the northern parts of Australia and among people such as farmers and surfers who spend a lot of time outdoors, but anyone can develop pterygium.

Are Pterygia dangerous?

Pterygia is not dangerous, although they can look ugly and cause some discomfort. The main problem with Pterygia is that as they grow on the cornea they distort it, interfering with vision. If the Pterygium grows on to the central part of the cornea it can begin to block light from entering the eye.

Although Pterygium is not dangerous, it should be checked to make sure that it is not something more serious. If you have any area of tissue on or around the eyes that changes rapidly, you should consult an optometrist or eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) immediately.

Treatment

In cases where the Pterygium is not actively growing on the cornea, protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light often will stabilise the growth. In many cases, provided it is not threatening vision and it remains stable, this is all that is required.

In cases where the Pterygium is actively growing on to the cornea and threatening to distort the vision, the only effective treatment is surgical removal. Fortunately this is relatively minor surgery that is performed under a local anesthetic. It is best to have surgery before the Pterygium progresses to the point where it interferes with your vision. Your optometrist can assess the Pterygium and refer you to  an eye surgeon.

Prevention techniques

The best way to reduce the risk of developing Pterygium is to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. The best ways of doing this are:

• Avoid the sun
• Wear a hat
• Wear sunglasses