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What is a Pterygium? What are the Symptoms?

A pterygium is a non-cancerous fleshy growth that can occur on the white part of the eye that grows over the cornea or clear part of the eye. Pterygium growth occurs due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun as well as exposure to dust and wind. Pterygia cannot be treated with glasses or contact lenses.

Having a pterygium may feel similar to having dirt or grittiness in the eye. There may be a burning or itching sensation. For some, there may only be mild symptoms that may not require help from our Grand Junction pterygium removal surgery experts, while for others there could be visual disturbances like clouded or doubled vision. The most common symptom of having a pterygium is being able to visually see it, usually a wedge shape that begins forming in the corner of the eye and extends over the cornea.

What is a Pterygium? What are the Symptoms?

A pterygium is a non-cancerous fleshy growth that can occur on the white part of the eye that grows over the cornea or clear part of the eye. Pterygium growth occurs due to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun as well as exposure to dust and wind. Pterygia cannot be treated with glasses or contact lenses.

Having a pterygium may feel similar to having dirt or grittiness in the eye. There may be a burning or itching sensation. For some, there may only be mild symptoms that may not require help from our Grand Junction pterygium removal surgery experts, while for others there could be visual disturbances like clouded or doubled vision. The most common symptom of having a pterygium is being able to visually see it, usually a wedge shape that begins forming in the corner of the eye and extends over the cornea.

Pterygium Treatment and Removal

Not all pterygia require surgery. In some cases, there will be no symptoms or only very mild ones. Patients who have no discomfort or vision problems due to pterygium growth may opt to watch for changes.

If the pterygium is causing vision problems, and if it does not respond to other treatments such as drops, then you can rely on our pterygium removal surgery team to solve the problem.

The pterygium removal surgery is quick and only minimally invasive; it is usually completed in under 45 minutes. There are several different options for treatment, all of which our experienced pterygium removal surgeons are happy to discuss with you here at ICON Eyecare. If you suspect you have a pterygium, regardless of whether surgery is required, it’s important to seek medical treatment to discuss your options.

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