Pterygium and Pterygium Surgery

A pterygium is a benign, wedge-shaped growth of tissue from the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white of the eye, onto the cornea—the clear front surface. It can cause irritation, redness and blurred vision. Surgery removes the growth when symptoms, progression or effects on vision justify treatment.

Symptoms and assessment

Pterygia usually develop on the side of the eye nearest the nose. Long-term ultraviolet exposure is an important risk factor, while wind and dust can contribute to irritation.

Some remain small and cause few symptoms. Others become repeatedly red or gritty. As a pterygium extends onto the cornea, it can alter the cornea’s curvature and cause astigmatism, making vision blurred or distorted. Larger growths may approach the centre of the cornea and interfere with vision more directly.

Our eye specialists examine the growth under a slit-lamp microscope, check vision and assess whether it is changing. Measurements of the cornea’s shape may help determine how much the pterygium is affecting vision.

When surgery is considered

A small, stable pterygium may only need monitoring and symptom relief. Lubricating eye drops can ease discomfort but do not remove the growth. UV-protective wraparound sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat are useful measures outdoors.

Our surgeons may recommend removal when a pterygium is growing towards the centre of the cornea, causing significant astigmatism or blurred vision, or producing persistent irritation despite treatment. Concerns about its appearance can also be discussed during assessment.

The decision depends on the growth’s size and behaviour, your symptoms and the health of the rest of the eye.

How pterygium surgery works

Pterygium surgery is usually a day procedure performed with local anaesthesia. Our surgeon removes the abnormal tissue and commonly covers the exposed area with a thin graft of healthy conjunctiva from the same eye. This is called a conjunctival autograft.

The graft helps the surface heal and reduces the risk of the pterygium growing back. It may be secured with tissue glue or fine sutures. Removing the growth can improve comfort and appearance, and may improve vision when corneal distortion is contributing to blur.

Pterygium can recur after removal, although this is much less common with the use of conjunctival autografting. As with any surgery, there are risks, and our surgeons discuss the expected benefits, limitations and risks before treatment.

Recovery and follow-up

Some redness, grittiness and watering are expected initially and generally settle as the surface heals over the following weeks. Use your prescribed eye drops as directed. Follow-up appointments allow our surgeons to check healing and the graft.

Your surgeon will advise when you can return to driving, swimming and other activities. Increasing pain or worsening vision after surgery needs prompt contact with your treating team.

Pterygium care in Green Square

At Eye and Retina Specialists Sydney in Green Square/Waterloo, our ophthalmologists Dr Cheryl Au and Dr Linda Zheng provide pterygium assessment and surgery, working alongside Dr Neil Sharma. If a growth on your eye is becoming uncomfortable or affecting your vision, our team can arrange an assessment and discuss suitable options.