Home All Eye Care Pterygium Removal

What is a Pterygium? What are the Symptoms?

A pterygium is a non-cancerous fibrous growth that can occur on the clear thin membrane, called the sclera, that extends over the white of the eye. The pterygium occurs due to exposure to things such as dust and wind and 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 Denver 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 sclera.

What is a Pterygium? What are the Symptoms?

A pterygium is a non-cancerous fibrous growth that can occur on the clear thin membrane, called the sclera, that extends over the white of the eye. The pterygium occurs due to exposure to things such as dust and wind and 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 Denver 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 sclera.

Pterygium Treatment and Removal

Not all pterygium 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 may opt to just keep their pterygium under observation. This is necessary to make certain the condition does not worsen, with the pterygium extending into the cornea where it can cause more serious problems.

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 Denver 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 Denver 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.