Pterygium Surgery

Pterygium, is a growth of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the white of the eye, onto the cornea. The cornea is the clear front covering of the eye. This benign, non-cancerous growth is usually wing-shaped. It is commonly called surfer’s eye or a fleshy growth on the eye. Pterygium usually does not cause problems or require treatment. However, if the growth has reached the cornea and is affecting your vision, it may cause problems and need to be surgically removed.

What causes pterygium?

Pterygium’s exact cause is unknown. One explanation is that excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure may lead to these growths. It is more common in people living in warm climates who spend much time outdoors in sunny or windy environments. People whose eyes are regularly exposed to certain elements are at greater risk.

These include:

– Pollen

– Sand

– Smoking

– Wind

Before and After

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What are the symptoms of pterygium?

In particular, pterygium does not always cause symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are usually mild. Common symptoms may include redness, blurred vision and eye irritation. You may also experience burning or itching. If a surfer’s eye growth becomes large enough to cover the cornea, it affects your vision. A thick or larger a fleshymay also make you feel as though there is a foreign object in your eye. As a result, pterygium may prevent you from continuing to wear contact lenses.

How serious is pterygium?

Although uncommon, Pterygium’s may cause serious scarring of the cornea. Corneal scarring requires treatment because it can cause vision loss. For minor cases, treatment generally involves eye drops or ointment for inflammation. More serious cases need treatment and pterygium must be surgically removed.

How isitdiagnosed?

Pterygium is straightforward to diagnose. Your ophthalmologist can diagnose it through a physical examination using a slit-lamp microscope, which provides a magnified view of your eye.

How is pterygium treated?

In particular, a fleshy, generally requires no treatment unless it interferes with vision or causes significant discomfort. Your ophthalmologist may want to check your eyes periodically to see whether the growth is causing visual problems. If the growth obstructs your vision and extends onto the cornea, our doctor will recommend surgery to remove your pterygium .

Can patients with pterygium have laser eye surgery?

In particular, If your pterygium has reached and grown over the cornea, it will prevent you from having laser eye surgery. In such cases, the growth must first be removed and the cornea allowed to heal for 1–2 weeks. Following our doctor’s assessment, laser eye surgery may then be performed.

Dr. Hüseyin CENGİZ

Dr. Efsane H. CENGİZ

Dr. Ümit ATİK

Dr. Ali ÖZER

Dr. İdil GÖKSEL

Dr. Fatih BALTU

Dr. Ümit YAPICI