Pterygium (patient information)

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 * Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Erin E. Lord

Overview
A pterygium is a non-cancerous, whitish-pinkish, and triangular-shaped tissue growth on the conjuntiva. Although it typically grows from the nasal side of the eye inward, it rarely grows so large that it begins to cover the pupil of the eye. Some pterygia grow slowly throughout a person's life, while others stop growing after a certain point. One or both eyes may be involved.

What are the symptoms of a pterygium?
The primary symptom of a pterygium is a painless area of elevated whitish-pinkish tissue, with blood vessels on the inner or outer edge of the cornea.

What are the causes of a pterygium?
Scientists do not know what causes pterygia to develop. However, since people who have pterygia usually have spent a significant time outdoors, many doctors believe ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun may be a factor.

Who is at highest risk?
Pterygia are more common in people in the 20-40 age group that live in sunny, dry climates. Additionally, chronic dry eye is believed to contribute to pterygium. Risk factors are exposure to sunny, dusty, sandy, or windblown areas. As a result, farmers, fishermen, and people living near the equator are often affected. While some studies report a higher prevalence of pterygia in men than in women, this may reflect different rates of exposure to UV light. Pterygium is rarely observed in children.

How to know you have a pterygium?
A physical examination of the eyes and eyelids confirms the diagnosis. Special tests are usually not necessary.

When to seek urgent medical care
Urgent medical care is not usually necessary for pterygium. However, if the pterygium begins to affect one's vision, the patient should see an ophthalmologist for treatment.

People with pterygium should be seen by an eye doctor each year, so that the condition can be treated before it affects vision. Also, people should see their eye doctor if they have had a pterygium in the past and the symptoms return.

Treatment options
Although no treatment is required unless the pterygium begins to block vision, lubricants can reduce the redness and provide relief from the chronic irritation. In the case that the pterygium affects vision, it should be removed with surgery. Because a pterygium is often visible, many people want to have it removed for cosmetic reasons. However, surgery is not recommended in this case. If a pterygium is surgically removed, it may grow back, particularly if the patient is less than 40 years of age.

If there is recurrence after surgery or if recurrence of pterygium is thought to be vision threatening, it is possible to use strontium (90Sr) plaque therapy. 90Sr is a radioactive substance that produces beta particles which penetrate a very short distance into the cornea at the site of the operation. It suppresses the regrowth of blood vessels that occur with return of the pterygium. The treatment requires some local anaesthetic in the eye and is best done at the time of, or on the same day as the pterygium excision.

Diseases with similar symptoms
See also:
 * Pinguecula

Where to find medical care for a pterygium?
Directions to Hospitals Treating pterygium

Prevention of a pterygium
In areas where sunlight is strong, wearing protective eyeglasses, sunglasses, and/or hats with brims is suggested.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Most pterygia cause no problems and do not need treatment. If a pterygium affects the patient's vision or cornea, results are usually good after it is removed. However, a pterygium can return after it is removed.