What is a Pterygium?

A pterygium is a growth of pink fleshy tissue on the conjunctiva, the clear tissue that lines our eyelids and covers your eyeball.It usually forms on the side closest to your nose and is a benign (non-cancerous) condition. It can grow across the cornea (the clear window of the eye) toward the pupil affecting vision. The growth may also the shape of the cornea causing astigmatism.

How is it treated?

If a pterygium needs to be removed, then the definitive treatment is surgery. This involves removing the pterygium and then placing a graft in the bare area created. The graft is kept in place either by sutures or glue.Dr Karagiannis will spend time with the patient to discuss all aspects of the surgery including importantly what to expect in the post-operative period.