Pterygium Treatment

Treatment for Pterygium

All patients with a pterygium should avoid environments of high amounts of wind, dust, pollen, chemicals, etc.  All should also wear UV blocking spectacles and sunglasses and freely use unpreserved artificial tears.  See below for additional recommendations.

Treatment for Mild Pterygium  

Inflamed or irritated pterygia can be treated with corticosteroid eye drops such as Lotemax during periods of inflammation.

Treatment for Advanced Pterygium

Tumors (Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia) must be ruled out by biopsy if suspected.

A pterygium can cause significant vision loss if left untreated and if the lesion extends into the visual axis (in front of the pupil area).  It is worth noting that the degeneration and negative effects of a pterygium extend about 3 millimeters past the visible leading edge of the growth.  Therefore, it is important to treat the pterygium well before it gets near the pupillary area. 

Surgery by excision is recommended for improved cosmetic appearance, induced astigmatism or when growth of the pterygium nears the central cornea.