A pterygium is a growth of the conjunctiva or mucous membrane that covers the white part of your eye over the cornea. The cornea is the clear front covering of the eye. A pterygium usually doesn’t cause problems or require treatment, but it can be removed if it interferes with your vision.
A pterygium doesn’t always cause symptoms. When it does, the symptoms are usually mild. Common symptoms include Redness, blurred vision and eye irritation. You ight burning sensation or itchiness. If a pterygium grows large enough to cover your cornea, it can interfere with your vision. Thick or larger pterygium can also cause you to feel like you have a foreign object in your eye.
Diagnosing a pterygium is straightforward. Your eye doctor may diagnose this condition based on a physical examination using a slit lamp allows your doctor to see your eye with the help of magnification and bright lighting. If your doctor needs to do additional tests, they may include:
Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the pterygium if eye drops or ointments don’t provide relief. Surgery is also done when a pterygium causes a loss of vision or a condition called astigmatism , which can result in blurry vision. one can also discuss surgical procedures with your doctor if you want the pterygium removed for cosmetic reasons.
Surgery usually involves removing the pterygium and placing a conjutival graft in that area ,called PTERYGIUM EXCISION WITH CONJUNCTIVAL AUTO GRAFT