Pterygium Surgery

If you have pterygium (surfer’s eye), surgery is how you can get rid of this eye growth. At Rosenberg Eye Center Inc, in Miami, Tavernier, and Key West, Florida, board-certified ophthalmologists and surgeons Stanley Rosenberg, MD, and Peter Gomez, OD, offer pterygium surgery to eliminate an eye growth and bothersome symptoms. Schedule an eye exam by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.

What is pterygium surgery?

Pterygium surgery at Rosenberg Eye Center Inc is a minor procedure that eliminates a pterygium (surfer’s eye), which is a raised, wedge-shaped, fleshy growth on the eye’s clear membrane covering the white of the eye. 

It often begins in the corner of your eye. The main cause of a pterygium is long-term ultraviolet light exposure. It can grow, irritate your eye, and affect your vision when left untreated. While you won’t always need treatment, pterygium surgery can help you avoid problematic symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of a pterygium?

Symptoms of a pterygium may include:

• Fleshy growth on your eye
• Whitish or pinkish growth
• Growth containing visible blood vessels
• Triangular or wing-shaped growth
• Dry eyes
• Eye swelling and inflammation
• Red or bloodshot eyes
• Watery eyes
• Feeling like there’s something in your eye
• Eye pain or burning
• Discomfort when wearing contact lenses
• Blurred vision, double vision, or other vision changes
• Eye lesion that grows

A pterygium growth might start in the corner of the eye and grow toward the colored part (iris). 

What are the risk factors for needing pterygium surgery?

Risk factors for a pterygium include:

• Being a surfer
• Spending a lot of time outdoors without eye protection
• Being over age 60
• Living near the equator with more intense sunlight
• Eye irritation caused by dryness, hot weather, dust, or wind
• Genetics
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Vitamin A deficiency 

The experts at Rosenberg Eye Center Inc review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and complete a comprehensive eye exam and vision tests to learn if you have a pterygium and need pterygium surgery or other treatments, such as eye drops or ointments.

What happens during and after pterygium surgery?

Pterygium surgery is the only way to eliminate a pterygium. During surgery at Rosenberg Eye Center Inc, your eye doctor numbs the area, removes abnormal tissues from your eye’s surface, and covers the hole left behind with a tissue graft. 

Pterygium surgery often takes about an hour. Afterward, you’ll wear an eye patch for several days. It takes about 4-6 weeks to heal completely after pterygium surgery. You may take antibiotics to prevent an infection and use eye drops to prevent a pterygium from growing back. 

Avoid direct sun exposure to your eyes after surgery by wearing protection, such as sunglasses or a hat, when you’re outdoors. Protect your eyes from windy, dry, and dusty climates and keep them lubricated with artificial tears when necessary. 

Schedule an eye exam at Rosenberg Eye Center Inc by phone or online today to learn if pterygium surgery is right for you.