A pterygium is a benign growth, a duplication (hypertrophy) of the conjunctiva on the cornea that looks like a wing and starts from the white of the eye and spreads towards the cornea.

The pterygium is also known as surfer’s eye.

The main difference between a cataract and an pterygium is that a cataract occurs on the natural lens, inside the eye, while a pterygium occurs on the surface of the cornea.

Pterygium develops slowly and therefore the patient’s condition is monitored and his treatment is determined. However, as the pterygium spreads towards the cornea, it begins to cause visual disturbances, blurring and irregular distortion of the image, i.e. irregular astigmatism.

In certain cases, you may have no symptoms before the pterygium appears. Once symptoms develop, they range from mild to more severe.

Milder symptoms of pterygium:

• A slightly raised pink growth on your eye usually in the medial part of the bulbar conjunctiva at 3 o’clock (around the cornea)
• Red, irritated or swollen eyes
• Dry eyes, itching or burning sensation in the eyes
• Feeling of sand or grit in the eyes
• Teary eyes

More serious symptoms of pterygium:

• Increase in size and spread of the lesion.
• An unpleasant appearance to your eye due to the size of the lesion.
• Blurred or double vision (if the pterygium develops towards the center of the cornea)

To avoid the appearance of the pterygium, it is necessary to wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection. A wide-brimmed hat or cap can also help, so you’ll have extra protection from wind and dust.

It usually develops sometime after the age of 30, people with fair skin and eyes are at higher risk. This condition occurs in people who are exposed to the sun for a long time, such as farmers, fishermen, surfers, sailors, etc. Skiers and all those who are more often exposed to snow and sun are also at high risk here.

In addition to ultraviolet radiation, wind and dust also have an influence, and it is very common in patients with dry eye.

A basic ophthalmological examination is performed and the result of the region and length is checked with a magnifying glass, based on which further treatment is determined.

If necessary, additional diagnostic tests are performed, such as:

Pentacam: with this diagnostic, a 3D map of the surface of your cornea is created if there is a suspicion of astigmatism caused by the pterygium. This diagnosis is made on both eyes.

Patients with chronic diseases, depending on the therapy they are receiving, have special preparations for which they are informed on the day of scheduling the intervention.

The patient is transferred to the preoperative block and his history is taken. Blood pressure and sugar are checked. Then, in consultation with the ophthalmologist, if necessary, additional diagnostics are performed.

After the patient is fully prepared, he is brought into the operating room.

Treatment depends on its shape and size. When it is smaller, we give artificial tears and lubricants, and sometimes mild steroid drops to reduce redness and burning.

In more severe cases, the pterygium is treated surgically. Given that recurrence is possible (recurring after the operation), we perform an operation with an autograft of the conjunctiva.

The patient is placed on the operating chair where anesthetic drops are administered. The surgeon then carefully removes the pterygium from your eye.

The conjunctival duplication is excised, and an autograft taken from the same eye is placed from the conjunctiva and sutured or glued to the normal surrounding conjunctiva. During the operation, the patient is awake and talking to the surgeon and does not feel pain.

The intervention lasts approximately 30 minutes.

The next day is the first control after the operation, while the next control is in 7 days and after a month.

The patient is prescribed therapy and is obliged to use it according to the time period specified by the ophthalmologist.

It is normal to be sensitive to light and glare, and you may wear glasses to ease symptoms. A feeling of irritation and scratching, as well as a change in vision is also normal after the intervention, which will disappear over time.

Restrictions after surgery are temporary and do not last long and are always according to the surgeon’s recommendation.

After the intervention, you can take a bath, taking care not to get shampoo or water in your eye for up to 3 weeks after the intervention.

Sports activities are usually allowed already 2-3 weeks after the operation, depending on the age of the patient and the intensity of exercise.

The medical staff is available 24/7 for any consultation that is needed after the operation.

The package includes: intervention with local anesthesia, preoperative preparation and three controls after intervention.

Anesthesiology examination and general anesthesia are charged additionally.

It is possible to pay in installments without interest and additional costs.

You can check more about the payment method on the current price list of Sistina Ophthalmology.