Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- wing-shaped conjunctival overgrowth onto corneal surface
- history of chronic UV light exposure
- ocular irritation, burning, and tearing
Other diagnostic factors
- altered ocular cosmesis
- blurred vision
- double vision
Risk factors
- chronic UV light exposure
- family history of pterygium
- chronic ocular irritants
- human papilloma and Epstein-Barr virus infection
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- slit-lamp examination
- fluorescein staining
Treatment algorithm
asymptomatic
ocular irritation, burning, or itching: without visual impairment, rapid growth, or cosmesis concerns
visual impairment or rapid enlargement or poor cosmesis
recurrent pterygia
Contributors
Authors
David O'Brart, MBBS, DO, MD, FRCS, FRCOphth

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Professor of Corneal Science
Kings College
University of London
London
UK
Disclosures
DB holds a non-commercial research grant with Rayner Ltd. through his NHS Trust for cataract surgery research within the NHS. He has equity in the medical imaging company Sparca Inc. and is on their medical advisory board. DB holds a non-commercial research grant with Johnson and Johnson through his NHS Trust for cataract surgery research within the NHS. He is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Peer reviewers
Carlos E. Diaz, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Texas Health Science Center
San Antonio
TX
Disclosures
CED is a speaker for Bio-Tissue, the developer of Amniograft amniotic membrane.
Robert E. MacLaren, DPhil, DipEd, FRCOphth, FRCS
Professor of Ophthalmology
Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology
University Of Oxford
John Radcliffe Hospital
Oxford
UK
Disclosures
REM declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Pseudopterygium
- Pingueculum
- Marginal keratitis
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Clinical management guidelines: pterygium
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