A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth of abnormal tissue that forms on the surface of the eye. While it is benign (non-cancerous) it extends onto the cornea (the clear front ‘window’ of the eye) where it may affect your vision by altering the shape of the cornea.
A pterygium can usually be seen as a fleshy, pink growth from the white of the eye and may occur in one eye or both. They occur most often in the corner of the eye, close to the nose.
Many people with a pterygium feel as if there is something in their eye. Pterygium symptoms include dry eye, irritation, inflammation and redness. A pterygium can blur or even obscure vision.
It is thought that environmental factors such as UV light are the cause of pterygia. People who live in sunny regions and spend a lot of time outdoors have a higher chance of developing a pterygium than others. The risk is also increased by not wearing sunglasses or a sun hat.
A pterygium can usually be seen as a fleshy, pink growth from the white of the eye and may occur in one eye or both. They occur most often in the corner of the eye, close to the nose.
Many people with a pterygium feel as if there is something in their eye. Pterygium symptoms include dry eye, irritation, inflammation and redness. A pterygium can blur or even obscure vision.
It is thought that environmental factors such as UV light are the cause of pterygia. People who live in sunny regions and spend a lot of time outdoors have a higher chance of developing a pterygium than others. The risk is also increased by not wearing sunglasses or a sun hat.
