A pterygium is a growth on the cornea. It tends to look like a pinkish triangle, and most often shows up on the side of the cornea near the nose.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Pterygium?
You may have a pterygium and not notice a change in your vision. Symptoms are typically mild, but they could include eye irritation, blurred vision, redness, or itching. A pterygium may affect your sight by inducing a corneal irregularity or irregular astigmatism, which is not correctable with glasses or contact lenses. You may also feel like there’s something in your eye if the pterygium gets exceptionally large, and it could interfere with your ability to wear contact lenses.
What Causes A Pterygium?
Pterygia occur more often in people who live in warmer areas or who spend a lot of time outdoors. This suggests that ultraviolet light may be a factor, or exposure to particles from sand, wind, smoke or pollen may be involved.
And, of course, if you spend a lot of time outdoors in windy or bright conditions, take measures to protect your eyes, such as investing in good sunglasses.
What Are The Treatments For Pterygium?
The discomfort from a pterygium may be treatable with drops or ointment, but this likely will not reverse the growth. If you continue to be bothered by symptoms, or if the pterygium affects your vision, then a surgical procedure, pterygium excision, may be recommended. Some people may also want a pterygium excision for cosmetic reasons.
The surgical procedure may be done using local or general anesthetic, depending on the patient and the complexity of the removal. The surgery typically takes about a half an hour, during which the growth is removed.
The majority of patients are mostly healed from surgery after about three to four weeks.
Pterygium excisions have a high success rate. However, there is always a risk of recurrence depending on the severity of the pterygium.
The specialists in the Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun Cornea Center will fully evaluate you before recommending pterygium treatments and provide you with full details on the reasons for their recommendations and projected outcomes.
For an appointment, call (865) 584-0905.
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