Questions About Pterygium?

A pterygium is a serious condition that involves the growth of tissue over the eye. Patients experiencing a pterygium, or surfer’s eye, for the first time may have lots of questions, which is why Visionary Eye Doctors has created this page to help guide patients through their experience. To get the most accurate and detailed information, schedule an appointment with the eye care specialists at Visionary Eye Doctors today.

Not necessarily. Pterygiums are typically minor disturbances, and they can appear without any associated symptoms. In the most severe cases, a pterygium will cause blurred or impaired vision and will need to be surgically removed from the patient’s eye. This can cause scarring on your cornea, but this is extremely rare.

If you experience symptoms such as scarring, redness, irritation, grittiness, or an aggressive growth, consult with your Visionary Eye Doctors specialist immediately.

A pterygium can be treated in a number of ways depending on its severity. Patients who experience milder symptoms such as redness, itchiness, or swelling may be treated with over-the-counter ointments or drops, eyedrops for redness and irritation, or prescription-grade eyedrops with steroidal components. In severe cases, the pterygium may need to be surgically removed.

Surgical procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and typically take between 30 and 45 minutes to complete. Afterward, patients will wear an eye patch for one to two days and will be allowed to return to normal activities within a few days.

If you think you may need your pterygium removed, contact us to schedule a consultation.

A pterygium will not go away on its own. The only way to remove a pterygium completely is through surgery. However, Visionary Eye Doctors provides comprehensive treatment plans to patients wanting to avoid surgery for their conditions. Depending on the severity of your condition, we’ll develop a treatment plan for you that is the least invasive, most stress-free option available.

Contact the professionals at Visionary Eye Doctors to schedule your appointment today.

Pterygium surgery typically causes little to no pain. We use local and topical anesthesia via eyedrops and also prescribe an oral medication to help you relax prior to the surgery. You may feel a bit of dryness and feel a foreign body sensation, which will improve over the first few days. Read more about pterygium surgery and recovery here.

While a pterygium can appear quite scary, its presence is not an indication of cancer. In fact, pterygium cases are completely benign and are simply a fleshy growth that appears most commonly in individuals who experience prolonged exposure to sun rays in their eyes. Symptoms may be irritating, but with the right treatment plan, you can live a long, healthy life with a pterygium without worrying about more serious conditions arising as a result of its existence.

The only way to remove a pterygium fully is through surgery. Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the case; however, most patients are advised to monitor progress for at least 12 months following their procedure. For patients not opting for surgery, treatment is advised as long as symptoms persist and disrupt the flow of daily activities.

Consult with your Visionary Eye Doctors specialist if you feel your condition has gone on for longer than necessary.