book icon
Book
Online

Pterygium

Closeup of Pterygium

What is a Pterygium?

A pterygium (pronounced “tehr-RIDGE-ium”) is a growth of scar tissue and blood vessels on the surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Normally, the outer surface of the eye is clear and smooth. However, when damaged by overexposure to UV light, the growth can extend across the cornea, causing foreign body sensation, irritation, redness, and eventually, visual disturbances. Left unchecked, it may eventually cause loss of vision.

Diagnosis

A physical examination of the eye and eyelids under a high-powered microscope, known as a slit lamp, is needed to diagnose your pterygium. If your pterygium is not causing visual disturbances or discomfort, you may not require medical treatment. Instead, your pterygium will be monitored for any changes and you’ll be instructed on ways to prevent further sun damage by using hats and/or sunglasses.

Surgery

Pterygium removal surgery eliminates the abnormal tissue from the cornea and sclera (white of the eye). The older, standard surgical technique left a bare hole in the conjunctiva (the surface of the eye) where the pterygium was removed. Unfortunately, this led to a high rate of pterygium regrowth. Another technique fills the gap in the conjunctiva left by the removal of the pterygium with a graft of tissue removed from under the eyelid. This graft is then stitched in place. A downside of this approach is that the stitches can cause discomfort while the eye heals. This healing period can last for weeks.

The latest advance in ptergyium removal surgery does away with the stitches altogether. The”no-stitch” surgery uses a special kind of surgical glue made of clotting proteins found in human blood. Your own tissue or amniotic tissue will be “glued” onto the site of the abnormal tissue. There’s little discomfort, the rate or recurrence is low, and patients are usually back to work within two days of surgery.

Advances have also been made in the treatment of recurrent, aggressive ptergyia. To improve the results of surgery, adjuvant medical therapy may be used to reduces the growth of the abnormal cells. These techniques allow for successful removal and a reduction of recurrence rates in almost everyone!

The Procedure

The surgery is a very quick procedure lasting less than half an hour. You’ll be lightly sedated to ensure that you’re relaxed and comfortable. Your eye will be completely numbed and although you’ll be aware of your surroundings, you won’t be able to see.

Dr. Majlessi will perform the latest technique of sutureless pterygium surgery. The surgery consists of removing the pterygium and replacing it with a graft of tissue, which is glued into place. There are no sutures and the procedure is completely painless. Because of the medications you’ve received, you won’t be able to drive yourself home. You might be slightly groggy from the sedation but you will be given some medications for discomfort, should you have any.

Recovery

Your eye will heal rapidly. You’ll be able to return to work in about two days. After the first week, the adhesive used to secure your graft is no longer necessary and it will dissolve. Over the next two to four weeks, your eye will gradually return to a normal appearance with little or no traces of redness or irritation.