Introduction
People who have pterygium in the eye often suffer from an overgrowth in their conjunctiva caused by overexposure to UV light. This condition looks like a fleshy, triangular tissue growing from the inner corners of the eye. While the appearance of it might shock or even scare you, pterygium is usually no cause for concern.
In most cases, especially if the pterygium is small, it can be treated non-surgically through artificial tears eye drops, and gels to lessen the irritation. However, there are cases where the pterygium can grow over the cornea and cause blurriness in your vision. It could even produce a scar on your cornea and distort your eyesight. Other indications for surgical removal are frequent eye irritation, foreign body sensation, persistent eye redness, and cosmetic dissatisfaction. In these cases, pterygium eye surgery is necessary to remove the overgrowth.
How Pterygium Is Treated
There are three different treatment methods for pterygium. First is prevention, which involves wearing a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses to lessen UV exposure. This is advisable for people with a small and painless pterygium that does not affect their vision.
The second treatment involves using drops and gels. This is usually advised for patients who have minor irritation caused by their pterygium. Lubricating and soothing eye drops help lubricate the eye and minimize irritation.
For severe cases of inflammation, a doctor can prescribe a short course of steroid medication. Steroid eye drops can help soothe the inflammation and reduce the chances of growth for the pterygium. It is important to know that these treatments won’t completely cure your pterygium. It will only alleviate its effects, which brings us to the last treatment.
Pterygium eye surgery is the only treatment that can completely get rid of your conjunctiva overgrowth. There are pterygium surgery types, and most of them involve pterygium excision or the act of removing the affected tissue from the eye. Among the procedures, conjunctival autograft is the gold standard or procedure of choice. In this pterygium surgery, the affected tissue is removed from the eye, and the gap that it left is covered with the harvested conjunctiva from the superior area.
The pterygium excision surgery is a minor procedure that can take half an hour or less for one eye. It also has a high success rate, with conjunctival autograft having a low percentage of recurrence. This means that the pterygium rarely ever comes back when you take good care of your eyes and protect it from harmful UV rays.
When To Get Pterygium Treatment
Since pterygium is generally harmless, mild cases can be managed with protection from its risk factors and eye drop treatments. However, pterygium can often grow worse to the point that it can obstruct your vision and damage your cornea, especially with continuous exposure to UV radiation. In this case, medications won’t be enough. You will need to get pterygium eye surgery to avoid more damage to your cornea.
Another reason to get pterygium eye surgery is severe irritation or foreign body sensation. This can cause extreme discomfort and could affect your daily life. For these reasons, you need surgery to have it removed so you can go back to living your life comfortably.
Finally, aesthetics is another reason to get pterygium surgery. Most people consider pterygium as ugly or hard to look at due to chronic eye redness, and that is a perfectly valid reason to go through with the procedure.
What To Do Before and After Surgery
Pterygium eye surgery is simple and straightforward. Here’s what you need to do before and after your procedure.
Arrange for Someone To Drive You Home
Your postoperative eye will be covered with an eye patch at the end of the procedure until you reach home. To avoid road accidents, you should arrange for someone else to drive you home.
Prepare To Feel Some Discomfort Post-Surgery
You might feel some discomfort after the procedure for around two to three days, which is very common. However, if it keeps recurring or getting worse, do not hesitate to contact your doctor to get your eye checked.
Wear Your Eye Patch Cover for Protection
Wear your eye patch for as long as it is advised and avoid sun exposure as much as possible. You will be advised to remove your eye patch once you are at home and start wearing your protective eye goggles even when sleeping. This is to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eye. Wraparound sunglasses work, too, if you do not want to use your goggles.
Take the Prescribed Medication
Remember to always apply or take your prescribed medication at the instructed time. These medications can help prevent any complications and speed up the healing process of your eyes. Some can even help lessen your discomfort.
Make Sure To Attend Follow-Up Checkups
Always attend your follow-up checkups so your specialist can identify if your eye is healing well after the surgery. Do not hesitate to voice out your concerns during these appointments so your doctor can help you with your healing process.
Refrain From Exercising and Engaging in Contact Sports
Avoid any strenuous activities like exercising and sports. You and your eye need to rest. Any stress on your body can affect your healing and can increase the risk of getting your eye accidentally hit, which is something you want to avoid. You are also advised to avoid wetting the eye or swimming for at least two weeks to prevent contaminants from possibly entering your eye.
Conclusion
Pterygium eye surgery is a straightforward procedure that has a high success rate. As long as you follow the advice of your health professional and take care of your eyes before and after the surgery, you can expect to fully recover fast.
For concerns related to cornea and external diseases, visit our cornea and external disease specialist, Dr. Sharlene Noguera, at Asian Eye Institute. We have doctors who handle different specializations to provide you with the exact care you need for your eyes. Schedule an appointment today for consultations regarding your pterygium and possible surgery.
