PTERYGIUM
Pterygium is a vascular lesion that occurs in the white part of the eye, and it extends into the cornea (the transparent layer of the eye).
Pterygiums can affect one or both eyes. Although it is not considered a serious condition, these can cause the person's eye to become inflamed, red, and have a gritty sensation. In severe cases, the pterygium can continue to grow, covering the iris and pupil thus causing vision loss.
SYMPTOMS
This is a wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva that extends onto the cornea — the outer layer of the eye.
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EARLY SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Dryness
Gritty sensation
Redness
Inflamation
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LATE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Increase in the size and spread of the lesion.
An unpleasant appearance of your eye due to the size of the lesion.
Blurred or double vision if pterygium grows into the cornea.
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis is made on your ophthalmological examination. The lesion is closely observed using the slit lamp. At the time of the removal of the pterygium, the tissue is sent to pathology to confirm the diagnosis.
It is very important you have your pterygium evaluated. Doing so, it will help us determine the effect it has on your vision, and it will allow us to rule out malignancy. In addition, in Horta-Santini Eye Care team will take a measurement of how far the pterygium extends over the cornea will be obtained and over time we will continue to remeasure and assess if the lesion is approaching your visual axis.
TREATMENTS
Initially the treatment of pterygium is to observe. It is monitored to see if the lesion grows and spreads over the visual axis. The symptoms of irritation, gritty sensation and tearing can be relieved with eye drops or ointments.
HOW WE TREAT PTERYGIUM
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Shielding your eyes from UV radiation will help to protect not only the eye’s surface, but also tissues within the eye that can be sensitive to UV light. Wearing sunglasses that specifically block UV light during daytime hours will help against exposure.
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Using modern surgical techniques to remove pterygium greatly lowers the incidence of recurrence. Horta-Santini Eye Care is proud to provide its patients with the latest surgical techniques for their pterygium surgery. These were developed to provide them with a safe procedure that has a low recurrence rate.
The technique involves removing the pterygium and the scar tissue underneath it. Then, a conjunctival segment from another part of the same eye is obtained to fill in the space occupied by the pterygium. In patients who cannot or prefer not to use their own conjunctiva, it is replaced with an amniotic membrane. To help decrease recurrence we apply mitomycin and steroids during surgery, which help decrease inflammation and scarring.
The day after your surgery you will return to Horta-Santini Eye Care to monitor your recovery. You will be prescribed several drops that you will have to use according to the indicated time. In addition, you will be given instructions informing you of the activities that you can do or will have to avoid during the postoperative period. It is of the utmost importance that you follow all the instructions for your speedy recovery and thus obtain better results.
Due to the low rate of recurrence of pterygium obtained at Horta-Santini Eye Care, many patients choose to remove them at an early stage and do so for cosmetic reasons. The decision for pterygium surgery is one that should be made carefully and after talking to the professionals at Horta-Santini Eye Care. We are here to answer your questions and for you to clearly understand the risks and benefits.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Surgical risks, including the potential for recurrence after removal of the lesion, must be considered at the time of surgery. Unfortunately, pterygium surgery is not as simple as cutting it off the conjunctiva lesion and removing it from the cornea. Doing just that, carries an 80% risk of recurrence. It is important to note that most recurrences occur during the first-year post-surgery