Pterygium surgery

• Many people with a small Pterygium experience few or no symptoms.

  As it grows, you may notice a persistent redness or pinkish discolouration on the white of your eye.

• Other common symptoms include a gritty or burning sensation, itching, and a feeling that something is in your eye. Some people experience increased watering of the eye or blurred vision, particularly if the pterygium begins to encroach on the cornea and distort its shape.

  In bright conditions, you may also find your eye becomes more sensitive to light and wind.

For mild cases that cause only minor irritation, lubricating eye drops or ointments can help to soothe discomfort and reduce redness. Avoiding further UV exposure by wearing sunglasses is also recommended.

However, if the Pterygium is growing towards the centre of the cornea, significantly affecting your vision, or causing persistent discomfort that does not respond to drops, surgery is usually recommended. Surgical removal is a safe and well-established procedure, and modern techniques significantly reduce the risk of the Pterygium returning.

Pterygium surgery is performed as a day case procedure, meaning you will not need to stay overnight. The operation is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you will be awake but your eye will be completely numb throughout. The surgeon carefully removes the pterygium tissue from the surface of the eye.

To help prevent it from growing back, a small graft of healthy tissue — usually taken from under your eyelid — is placed over the treated area and secured with fine sutures or a special tissue adhesive. The procedure typically takes around 30 to 45 minutes.

After surgery, your eye may feel sore, gritty, or watery for several days, and some redness is entirely normal during the healing period. You will be prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for several weeks to support recovery and reduce the risk of infection. Most people are able to return to light daily activities within a few days, although you should avoid rubbing your eye, swimming, and strenuous activity for a few weeks.

You will have follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and ensure the graft is settling well. Full recovery typically takes between four and six weeks.

With modern surgical techniques, the majority of patients experience long-lasting results, and recurrence is uncommon. The use of a conjunctival graft significantly improves the likelihood of permanent resolution. However, it is important to continue protecting your eyes from UV light, wind, and dust after surgery by wearing good-quality sunglasses and a hat when outdoors.

This will help to reduce the risk of a new pterygium developing. Your surgeon will advise you on the best steps to take to protect your eyes and maintain the results of your surgery long-term.