What is pterygium?
“Surfer’s eye,” or pterygium, is a fleshy overgrowth of the conjunctiva, the thin transparent membrane on the surface of the eye. The tissue is triangular in shape and pink in color, and fine blood vessels may be visible. “Surfer’s eye” usually forms on the inner side of the eye, closest to the nose (the 9 o’clock position), and grows toward the pupil area. Sometimes it can also grow from the outer edge of the eye (the 3 o’clock position). The growth may appear in one eye or both eyes. Pterygium may grow slowly across the cornea throughout life, or its growth may stop at a certain point. In extreme cases, it can cover the pupil and cause vision problems. It may look unusual and bothersome and can create a cosmetic concern, but in general it is not dangerous.
Reasons
“Surfer’s eye” is usually caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or prolonged eye irritation from hot, dry weather, wind, and dust.
Although it is named after a particular type of athlete, this common eye growth can affect anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.
Symptoms
Although it is usually painless, pterygium can still cause some unpleasant symptoms. The eyes may become irritated, red, swollen, dry, or itchy. There may be a gritty sensation, tearing, and vision problems if it grows over the cornea, such as blurred vision.
Diagnosis is usually based on its appearance, and no special tests are required.
Treatment of pterygium
You may not need treatment if you have no discomfort or pain and it does not interfere with your vision. Your eye doctor may recommend regular visits to monitor its growth and any possible vision problems. You may be advised to wear sunglasses and a hat outdoors to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays. This can stop or slow the growth of the pterygium.
If you have mild discomfort, your eye doctor may recommend artificial tears or other lubricating eye drops or ointments. If there are signs of inflammation, anti-inflammatory eye drops may also be recommended. Ointments and eye drops will help you feel better, but they will not remove the pterygium. The only way to get rid of it completely is surgery. Surgery becomes necessary if the pterygium grows large enough to cause vision problems. It may also be removed for cosmetic reasons. Most pterygia recur within the first 12 months after surgery.
Prevention
There are several things you can do to prevent surfer’s eye, slow its growth if you already have it, and reduce the risk of recurrence after surgery:
1) Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. Choose options that block 99%–100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wear them even on cloudy days. Wraparound styles provide the best protection against ultraviolet light, dust, and wind. Wear them while driving as well. Unlike the windshield, the side windows of your car do not protect against ultraviolet rays.
2) Use artificial tears to keep your eyes moist, especially if you live in a dry area.
Pinguecula
Like pterygium, pinguecula is also a growth of the conjunctiva. Pingueculae are usually yellowish-white raised spots that may contain protein, fat, or calcium. Like pterygium, they usually grow on the side closest to the nose, but they generally do not grow onto the cornea. The causes of pinguecula are the same as those of pterygium: spending a lot of time outdoors in the sun and wind without protecting the eyes. However, pingueculae usually do not cause symptoms and do not need to be removed.