Pterygium

A pterygium is a wing-shaped fibrovascular overgrowth from the conjunctiva onto the corneal surface. Occurs in the interpalpebral region, usually from the nasal side, and is often bilateral.

Typically, there is a history of excessive chronic ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Often found in people who spend a lot of time outdoors, or people living within 40° latitude of the equator.

Symptoms include impaired ocular cosmesis, ocular irritation, and reduced vision.

All patients should use ocular UV protection such as wrap-around sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. If symptomatic, topical lubricants may help.

Surgical intervention is indicated if significant ocular irritation persists despite medical therapy; or if there is impaired ocular cosmesis, reduced visual acuity, continued progression, or double vision.

Surgical removal is generally successful, but some symptoms may persist and pterygium can recur.

A pterygium (from the Greek pterygion, meaning wing) consists of a cap (sub-epithelial arc-shaped corneal opacity at the leading edge), head (white fibrous mass attached to cornea), and body (fleshy, triangular-shaped fibrovascular tissue continuous with the conjunctiva at its base). It occurs in the interpalpebral region usually from the nasal side and is often bilateral. Symptoms include impaired ocular cosmesis, ocular irritation (caused by tear film disturbances over the pterygium and localised inflammation), and reduced vision (due to irregular astigmatism and occasional progressive growth of the pterygium to the visual axis/centre of cornea).