Introduction
Pterygium can be scary because its appearance can often cause people to think of the worst. This condition appears like a cone-shaped, almost translucent membrane growing from the inner corners of the eye, making it appear almost like an octopus or “pugita.”
Despite how scary it might look, pterygium is considered generally harmless. It is a common ophthalmic condition that most people living in a country near the equator suffer from. Of course, this does not mean you should just ignore it. After all, pterygium can develop into something more serious that could affect your eyesight and quality of life.
Get a better understanding of pterygium and learn what causes this eye problem. Read this article to discover its signs and symptoms as well as prevention measures.
Pterygium, Explained
If you look at your eyes closely or take a look at a diagram depicting the different parts of the eye, you will notice a thin and clear membrane surrounding your sclera and the inside of your eyelid. This outer surface layer protecting your eye is called the conjunctiva.
People who have pterygium have a benign centripetal overgrowth of the conjunctiva, which most often starts developing from the inner corners of their eyes. This eye condition is generally considered “not serious,” despite how odd it might look. In most cases, it can cause slight discomfort and frequent irritation, but there are also instances when it can obstruct the vision if it grows over your cornea.
Causes of Pterygium
Pterygium, also called “pugita sa mata,” can be caused by a wide range of factors. Read about them here:
UV Light
UV light has long been discovered to have significant effects on the human body, especially the eye. This UV radiation is one of the primary causes of pterygium and other eye problems.
Prolonged exposure to UV radiation causes an alteration in the production of limbal stem cells and fibroblasts. This change initiates pterygia and triggers the induction of different pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and growth factors. These result in the overgrowth of altered limbal stem cells.
Hereditary Factors
Despite being a condition born out of environmental factors, some studies still suggest the hereditary occurrence of pterygium. Although rare, this hypothesis supports the idea that genetics might have predisposed the conjunctiva to have an abnormal reaction to UV light and other stimuli in the environment.
The main cause of pterygium in the eye is still UV exposure, so even if you inherited this condition, as long as you minimize your exposure to sunlight, you can avoid getting it.
Environmental Irritant
The irritants or stimuli in the environment, like sand, wind, or dust, are more likely to trigger inflammation in the eye, especially if you are prone to rubbing. In some cases, this can even lead to aseptic inflammation, which is a trauma on the soft tissue of your eyes.
According to a study conducted by experts at the University of Gondar, adult male workers exposed to harsh environmental elements are more likely to develop pterygium than those who frequently work indoors.
Other Factors
This section refers to factors that might not cause pterygium but could significantly affect its development. Two factors that we would like to cover here are age and melanin production. A 2017 study found that age is a significant risk factor in pterygium since older people are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Melanin production is another factor. A study on the incidence and risk factors of pterygium found that the condition is more likely to happen to someone with light skin than a person with dark skin.
Preventive Measures To Avoid Pterygium
Since sun exposure and other environmental stimuli are the primary causes of pterygium in the eye, your best preventive measure would be to wear wraparound UV-protection sunglasses. You can also use a wide-brimmed hat to minimize sun exposure. As for people who work outdoors, especially on construction sites, it would be best for you to put on safety goggles to avoid contact with environmental irritants.
Consulting an eye expert is crucial to prevent pterygium from developing because of the abovementioned risk factors. Getting regular eye checkups can also be beneficial for you in spotting early signs and symptoms of pterygium.
Consult Eye Specialists Today
Pterygium is usually asymptomatic in its early stages and only shows signs when inflamed. If you suspect that you have this eye condition due to your frequent exposure to the sun, we highly recommend getting a checkup and a slit-lamp examination as early as possible to prevent it from worsening.
For more information about pterygium causes and its treatment, visit our pterygium expert, Dr. Sharlene Noguera, at Asian Eye Institute, one of the Philippines’ most trusted eye care providers. Our eye experts can help you look for the best solutions to your eye problems and prevent the condition before it worsens.
The world-class doctors from the Asian Eye Institute cover a wide range of specializations to give you the expert help you need in preventive eye treatment and surgery.
Conclusion
Pterygium is a common condition that people exposed to the sun might suffer from. As a country near the equator, the Philippines also falls victim to this condition. Although most cases don’t cause any major issues, it is still something that you cannot ignore. The risk of it worsening can cause blurriness in your vision, difficulty fitting contact lenses, irritation, foreign body sensation, and cosmetic dissatisfaction.
Get in touch with us at Asian Eye Institute and book a consultation today. Always remember that prevention is better than cure, so if you have any doubts about your vision, you should immediately book our services and get connected with an expert. You may also reach out if you have any questions about our treatments. We look forward to serving you!
