Treatment of Pterygium


Pterygium is not always treated.  If there are no symptoms treatment is not necessary.  If you feel that there is something in your eye, artificial tears can relieve this sensation and stop dryness by lubricating the eye.  Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to relieve any inflammation and swelling. 

Surgical removal of the pterygium may be considered in severe cases when it interferes with vision or if you wear contact lenses or if you are having to blink a lot and the pterygium is causing a serious problem.  It can also be removed if it is very uncomfortable or inflamed.  You may want to get it removed for cosmetic reasons particularly if it becomes large and thick.  Recovery from surgery takes time and there is often reoccurrence and therefore treatment is avoided unless essential. 

There are a number of different surgical methods of removing pterygium.  Your specific condition and eye symptoms may determine which procedure is best for you.  You may be given a local anaesthetic so that you do not experience much discomfort during the procedure.  Your eyes will be kept open by an eyelid speculum so that access is easy and undisrupted. 

Mitomycin may be applied to the eye area to try to reduce the incidence of reoccurrence.  Alternatively, the surgeon may suture or glue a piece of surface eye tissue onto the area in a procedure known as autologous conjunctival autografting.  If you are prone to pterygium, this may be advisable as it usually reappears.

The surgical procedure is usually over within the hour and an eye patch may be placed over the treated eye to protect it and aid healing.  Normal routine can be resumed within a couple of days if not immediately.

<<<previous page
next page>>>


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

Complete this form if you would like information about laser eye surgery including costs & suitablity.