Pterygium

Evaluation and surgery

Pterygium or fleshyness is a triangular tissue growth that extends over the conjunctiva and can invade the cornea. The most common symptoms are the sensation of grit, red eye and tearing.

The use of UV-protected lenses and lubricating drops is recommended to prevent its progression or irritation, however when medications are not enough, it is cosmetically unacceptable, or produces visual loss, surgery is required to remove the abnormal tissue.

During the surgery, the pterygium is removed and a conjunctival autograft is placed (the autograft means that a small portion of  conjunctiva will be placed at the site where the pterygium excision is performed), in order to prevent recurrence. It is an outpatient procedure, performed with topical anesthesia. After surgery, relative rest is recommended and ophthalmic drops will be used for approximately three weeks.