Pterygiums at Paarl Eye Centre
Pterygiums and pinguecula are commonly encountered in South Africa and other parts of the world that have warm, dry, sunny climates. This wing-shaped lesion originates on the conjunctiva and gradually crosses onto the cornea. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to visual disturbances. Modern surgical techniques using various grafts and tissue glue, have greatly reduced recurrences and leads to pleasing cosmetic results.
“Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you”
-Roald Dahl
YOUR VISION IS OUR MISSION
Not all pterygiums needs surgical removal. If they do not cause any symptoms, it’s safe to observe them. Some pterygiums can however cause recurrent redness, scratchiness and irritation of the affected eye. In some people it can become a cosmetic embarrassment. In severe cases it can affect your vision if it grows over your visual axis (pupil) or leads to astigmatism. If conservative treatment such as lubricating eye drops or ointments or steroid drops are not sufficient, surgery can be considered.
Traditionally a simple excision of the lesion was performed (bare sclera technique). This technique unfortunately had a high recurrence rate.
In order to reduce the recurrence rates of pterygiums and improve the postoperative cosmetic outcomes, a conjunctival autograft is placed over the area where the pterygium was excised. It is secured into position by using a tissue glue.
All our surgeons at Paarl Eye Centre are well trained to perform this procedure. It is done as a day case under sedation or general anaesthesia and takes about 30 minutes to complete.