Dr. Griffiths is a well credentialed and an excellent physician. Her staff are pleasant and professional. The office runs like a well-oiled machine. Kudos to them for providing such excellent care.
Holly Horn
Pterygium: What It Is and How to Protect Your Eyes
What Causes Pterygium?
Pterygium develops from long-term exposure to environmental irritants that damage the surface of the eye over time. Understanding the main causes can help you take practical steps to reduce your risk every day.
Ultraviolet light is considered the leading environmental cause of pterygium. Repeated exposure to UV rays gradually damages the conjunctiva and can trigger abnormal tissue growth. This explains why pterygium is far more common in regions close to the equator, where sunlight is more intense and year-round outdoor activity is the norm.
Chronic irritation from dust, sand, smoke, and wind can also contribute to pterygium formation. People who work or spend leisure time in these conditions are especially susceptible. Using artificial tears regularly can help reduce dryness and soothe the eye's surface in harsh environments.
Pterygium tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component in some cases. The risk also increases with age, as cumulative sun and environmental exposure builds up over the years. Men who spend significant time outdoors are statistically more likely to be affected, though pterygium can develop in anyone with prolonged environmental exposure.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Symptoms of pterygium can be subtle at first and may come and go depending on your environment. Recognizing them early gives you and your eye doctor more options for comfortable, effective management.
Many people with pterygium notice redness, itching, or a burning sensation in the affected eye. A frequent complaint is the feeling that something is stuck in the eye, even when nothing is visible. These symptoms often flare up in dry, windy, or sunny conditions and may ease once you are indoors or use lubricating drops.
When pterygium grows further onto the cornea, it can begin to blur vision or cause astigmatism, a condition where the cornea becomes unevenly curved and makes images appear distorted. In rare cases where the growth reaches the pupil, it can partially block sight. Most people do not develop severe vision loss, and treatment can restore clarity in affected cases.
If the pterygium becomes inflamed, the eye may appear noticeably bloodshot and feel more uncomfortable than usual. Thick or elevated growths can also make wearing contact lenses difficult. Any ongoing eye pain, worsening redness, or noticeable changes in your vision are good reasons to schedule an eye exam sooner rather than later.
How Pterygium Is Diagnosed
Diagnosing pterygium is a straightforward process that typically takes place during a routine eye exam. Accurate diagnosis ensures you receive the right care and rules out other conditions that can look similar.
Our eye doctors use a slit lamp, a specialized microscope with a bright light, to examine the growth closely. This tool allows a detailed look at the size, shape, and position of the pterygium without any invasive procedures. The exam is quick, comfortable, and provides all the information needed to plan your care.
Pterygium can sometimes resemble other eye surface conditions, including pinguecula (a yellowish bump that stays on the white of the eye) or, in rare cases, other growths that require further evaluation. If there is any uncertainty about the appearance of the tissue, photographs or a small tissue sample may be taken to confirm the diagnosis. Regular monitoring visits track any changes over time and give you peace of mind.
Treatment Options for Pterygium
The right treatment depends on the size of the growth, your symptoms, and whether your vision is affected. Options range from simple at-home comfort measures to surgery for more advanced cases, and most people respond well to conservative management.
For small or stable pterygia, lubricating eye drops, commonly known as artificial tears, are often the first step. Brands such as Refresh or Systane help keep the eye moist and reduce irritation. Short-term use of steroid eye drops may also be recommended by your eye doctor to calm redness and inflammation during flare-ups, without removing the growth itself.
Surgery becomes the preferred option when the pterygium is affecting vision, causing persistent discomfort, or continuing to grow despite conservative management. The procedure involves removing the abnormal tissue and, in most cases, using a conjunctival autograft, a small piece of healthy tissue from another part of your eye's surface, to cover the area and significantly reduce the chance of the growth returning. When graft techniques are used, recurrence rates are generally low.
Recovery after pterygium surgery is typically manageable, and most patients see well within a short period. Follow-up visits allow your eye doctor to confirm proper healing and address any concerns. Protecting your eyes from UV light, dust, and wind after treatment is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent the pterygium from returning.
Preventing Pterygium
Many of the factors that cause pterygium are manageable with consistent daily habits. Protecting your eyes from the elements is the most effective strategy, whether or not you have already been diagnosed.
Wearing wraparound sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays is one of the single most effective steps you can take. Pairing them with a wide-brimmed hat adds an extra layer of protection from reflected and overhead sunlight. Avoiding eye rubbing in dusty or windy conditions also helps reduce surface irritation.
If you work or spend recreational time in dry or harsh environments, using preservative-free artificial tears throughout the day can keep the eye surface calm and hydrated. Limiting direct sun exposure during peak midday hours and wearing protective eyewear during outdoor activities like skiing, cycling, or yard work are practical habits that benefit your overall eye health as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to questions our patients commonly ask about pterygium, with guidance to help you make informed decisions about your care.
Pterygium does not resolve without treatment. It may remain stable for years or grow slowly over time. If your pterygium is small and not causing significant symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend a monitoring approach with lubricating drops. If it begins to affect your vision or comfort, more active treatment will be discussed.
A pinguecula is a small yellowish deposit on the conjunctiva that does not grow onto the cornea. A pterygium is a fleshy tissue growth that does extend over the cornea and can affect vision in a way a pinguecula typically does not. A pinguecula can sometimes develop into a pterygium over time with continued environmental exposure, which is one reason regular monitoring matters.
Yes. As the tissue grows across the cornea, it can pull on or distort the cornea's shape, creating irregular curvature known as astigmatism. This makes vision blurry or distorted and is one of the primary reasons surgery is considered when the growth progresses. Removing the pterygium can improve or resolve astigmatism in many cases, though your eye doctor will assess your individual situation.
Many people with small or stable pterygia continue wearing contact lenses without major problems. Larger or inflamed growths can cause discomfort under the lens edge. In those situations, switching to a different lens type, increasing lubrication, or using glasses during flare-ups are practical alternatives. Your eye doctor can help you find the most comfortable option for your specific circumstances.
No. Pterygium is not an infection and cannot be passed from one person to another. It is a growth caused by cumulative environmental exposure, primarily UV light, wind, and dryness, rather than any virus or bacteria. You do not need to take any special precautions around others because of a pterygium diagnosis.
Surgery significantly reduces the likelihood of recurrence, especially when a conjunctival autograft is used to close the surgical site. Recurrence rates are generally low with modern graft techniques. Continued protection from UV light and environmental irritants after surgery further lowers the chance of the pterygium returning. Your eye doctor will give you specific aftercare instructions based on your procedure.
Schedule Your Eye Exam at NewView Eye Center
Whether you have noticed a change on your eye's surface or simply want a thorough evaluation, our team at NewView Eye Center is here to help. We provide comprehensive, personalized ophthalmology care to patients throughout Northern Virginia with the expertise and technology to manage pterygium at every stage. We encourage you to contact us to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward lasting eye comfort and clarity.
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