Pterygium
It is a degenerative disorder of the subconjunctival tissue, which proliferates as a triangular fold of tissue mass to invade the cornea, affecting the Bowman’s membrane and the superficial stroma, and is completely covered by conjunctival epithelium. It literally means “a wing”.
It is unclear what causes a pterygium to form. Nonetheless, most experts agree that the following are major risk factors:
- Extensive UV light exposure
- A Dry Eye
- Dust and wind are irritants.
Pterygium symptoms are determined by the clinical appearance of the lesion. Typical discoveries include:
- Fibrovascular conjunctival growth extending onto the corneal surface from the palpebral fissure
- The apex, or head, of he triangle, extends onto the cornea.
- Vascular straightening in the direction of the approaching pterygium's head of the pterygium on the corneal surface.
- May be a thin translucent membrane or significantly thickened with an elevated mound of gelatinous material.
- It may affect the nasal and temporal limbus of both eyes or only a single location.
- Raised lesion, white to pink in color depending on vascularity.
Treatment :
Today a variety of options are available for the management of pterygium, from irradiation to conjunctival auto-grafting or amniotic membrane transplantation, along with glue and suture application. As it is a benign growth, pterygium typically does not require surgery unless it grows to such an extent that it covers the pupil, obstructing vision or presents with acute symptoms. Some of the irritating symptoms can be addressed with artificial tears.