Eye Conditions
Pterygium
What is a Pterygium?
A pterygium is a growth of degenerative tissue that grows from the edge of the eye onto the cornea, the clear visual tissue at the front of the eye. It develops largely due to UV light exposure and is extremely common in Queensland.
How do pterygia cause problems?
Many pterygia can remain dormant without causing any grief. Many can, however:
grow across the eye causing visual obstruction
cause a shift in glasses prescription
cause irritation and redness that results in chronic discomfort
perceived poor cosmesis.
rarely, surface cancers of the eye can mimic pterygia. These require more extensive surgery.
How do I stop pterygia from forming or getting worse?
Pterygia develop due to UV light. Wrap around sunglasses meeting the Australian Standard (AS1067:2016) for sunglasses (lens categories 2, 3 or 4) and marked eye protection factor (EPF) 9 or 10, or labeled UV 400 are recommended.
At one end of the spectrum, some fashion spectacles are not appropriate. At the highly protective end, some sunglasses are so protected they are not recommended for driving in low-light. Dr English can guide you to an optometrist who can help find a solution for you.
How does surgery work?
Sometimes Dr English will recommend a course of eye drops if appropriate however many pterygia would benefit from surgery.
The pterygium is excised with precision. The residual tissue that causes the pterygium in the first place is further excised to prevent the pterygium from re-growing. An area of healthy conjunctiva (the glad-wrap layer surrounding the white of the eye) known as the Conjunctival Autograft will be carefully excised the placed over the defect where the pterygium once was. This will then be sutured into place carefully.
Will I be awake during surgery?
Dr English is aware that eye surgery can be extremely unsettling for patients. That’s why patients are administered heavy sedation through a drip prior to/during the operation such that patients comfortably remain asleep for the operation or have little experience of the operation actually happening. Your concerns and preferences around this are important to Dr English and he welcomes your input.
How soon can I get back to work?
Most patients can get back to work within days of the procedure, although the eye is often gritty and painful for the first few days. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops will be used to prevent infection and reduce redness and inflammation. A small vial of anaesthetic can be used at any time for significant pain, ensuring a comfortable first day of recovery while the eye settles down.
I’m from up north or out west - can I arrange surgery?
Dr English welcomes rural and regional patients and can arrange a tailored approach to your surgeries. Do make note to the staff of your wishes and Dr English can work with you to ensure your needs are met.
I’m not insured, can I still have surgery with Dr English?
Dr English is delighted to look after patients who do not have insurance and this is a common occurrence. All patients will be provided with full written financial disclosure prior to proceeding.
IN BRIEF: Pterygium Surgery - what you can expect*
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Surgery Time
35 mins
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Hospital Time
Day surgery
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Time off work
1 week
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Time until exercise
2 weeks
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KEEP THE EYE DRY FOR:
2 weeks
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Return to drive
1 week
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Surgical journey completed
6 weeks
* Estimates are provided as a general advice and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.