What are pterygium and pinguecula?

A pterygium is a fleshy growth that starts in the corner of your eye. It then grows toward and eventually onto the cornea (the clear, front window of your eye). A pinguecula is one or more soft yellow patches growing on the white of the eye just beyond the colored part of the eye, usually at the three o'clock or nine o'clock position. Both of these growths are harmless.

How do they occur?

A pterygium or pinguecula can be caused by accumulated exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun over many years. Heredity may also play a role. The growths are usually made worse by heat, dryness, wind, dust, smoke, and other irritants in your environment.

How are they treated?

At first the growth may cause only redness or irritation. You may be able to reduce the irritation by frequently using nonprescription artificial teardrops. If your symptoms get worse, you may need a stronger medicine to decrease redness and itching. If eyedrops help, you will simply need to see your doctor for periodic checkups. Wearing good UV-filtering sunglasses may help to prevent further growth.

A large growth can be unsightly. If it grows on your cornea, it may block your vision. If the growth is blocking your vision, or if you are concerned about the way the growth on your eye looks or feels, surgery can help.

If you have surgery, you will not need to be hospitalized for the procedure. You will be given a local anesthetic. It may take your doctor only a few minutes to remove the growth.

Any surgery has some risks, including bleeding, infection, and scarring, but these are uncommon with pterygium surgery. Another risk is that the growth may return, especially if you continue to expose your eyes to the UV rays of the sun for long periods of time. In many cases, however, this type of surgery is successful.

You may have a little discomfort during the first days after surgery, but wearing a patch over your eye and using drops should help you heal quickly.