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Symptoms of pterygium include a fleshy growth on the white of the eye, redness, irritation, and sometimes blurred vision. People confuse it with simple dryness, and miss pterygium causes as sun, wind, and dust exposure, which keep it growing.
This blog explains signs and stages, treatment of pterygium (medicated drops vs surgery), and easy prevention steps to protect your eyes.
What Is Pterygium?
Pterygium is a benign, wing-shaped growth of fibrovascular tissue that starts on the conjunctiva (the clear covering of the white of the eye) and can slowly extend onto the cornea. The main pterygium causes are long-term ultraviolet (UV) exposure, wind, dust, and dry, sunny climates, so it’s more common in people who work or play outdoors.
Dry eyes and irritation make the surface more vulnerable, and genetics can add risk. It appears on the side of the eye closer to the nose, occurs in one or both eyes, and can grow in phases, quiet at times, then more inflamed.
Although non-cancerous, a large pterygium can change the cornea’s shape and affect vision, which is why early advice and protection (UV sunglasses, hats) matter.
Pterygium Causes
Pterygium forms when the eye surface is repeatedly exposed to the sun, wind, dust, and dryness. UV rays trigger changes in the conjunctiva, while irritation and dry eye make the tissue more likely to grow toward the cornea.
Risk is higher if you work outdoors, live in sunny/tropical or dusty areas, have chronic dry eye, or have a family history. Contact lens wear in windy/dusty settings and not using UV protection can add to the risk.
Stages of Pterygium
Below are the different stages of pterygium:
- Early (Stage 1):
In the early stage, a small, flat wedge on the white of the eye appears near the nose; mostly cosmetic with mild redness/irritation.
- Progressing (Stage 2):
In the progressing stage, growth approaches or just crosses the limbus (edge of cornea); more dryness, grittiness, light sensitivity.
- Corneal Involvement (Stage 3):
In the corneal involvement stage, tissue extends onto the cornea and starts to induce astigmatism; vision blur and night glare increases.
- Advanced (Stage 4):
In the advanced stage, growth threatens or covers the visual axis; vision falls, redness is frequent, and surgery is advised.
Symptoms of Pterygium
The most visible clue is a fleshy, triangular patch on the white of the eye that can slowly creep toward the cornea.
Below are the common symptoms of pterygium:
- Visible growth on the conjunctiva: It is usually wedge-shaped and more noticeable toward the nose.
- Redness and inflammation: The tissue can look injected or “angry,” especially after sun, wind, or dust.
- Dryness and irritation: A gritty or scratchy feeling, sometimes worse at day’s end or in AC rooms.
- Foreign-body sensation: The eye feels like there’s sand in it.
- Excess tearing or mucus strands: The surface reacts to irritation by watering or producing stringy discharge.
- Light sensitivity (photophobia): Bright light feels uncomfortable.
- Blurred vision or ghosting: If the growth reaches the cornea, it can induce astigmatism and reduce clarity.
If you notice these eye pterygium symptoms, book an eye exam. Your eye doctor will also rule out pinguecula (a smaller yellowish bump that does not cross onto the cornea).
Risk Factors and Complications
People living in sunny, tropical, or high-UV regions, those who spend long hours outdoors without eye protection, and anyone with a family history are at higher risk.
Contact lens wear in dusty settings and chronic dry eye can worsen irritation. While pterygium is harmless, untreated growth can:
- Distort the cornea (astigmatism), causing blur and frequent prescription changes.
- Cover the visual axis, directly reducing sight if it grows far onto the cornea.
- Trigger chronic redness and discomfort, with flare-ups that affect daily tasks.
- Recur after surgery if UV/dust exposure continues; ongoing protection lowers this risk.
Prevention of Pterygium
You can’t stop every case, but simple protection lowers risk and slows growth:
- Wear UV400 sunglasses (wraparound if possible).
- Use a wide-brim hat in midday sun.
- Lubricate with preservative-free artificial tears if you have dry eye or work outdoors.
- Take short shade breaks when outside; limit dust and wind exposure (protective eyewear).
- Keep eyelid hygiene clean and avoid eye rubbing.
Treatment of Pterygium
Treatment of Pterygium depends on size, symptoms, and whether vision is affected or not.
- Observation & lubrication: Small, quiet growths need monitoring plus artificial tears and UV protection.
- Medicines: Short courses of anti-inflammatory drops or gels can calm redness/irritation during flares (doctor-guided).
- Surgical removal: Recommended when vision blurs, astigmatism progresses, or irritation is frequent.
Modern surgery removes the tissue and places a conjunctival or amniotic graft to reduce recurrence; post-op drops support healing.
Conclusion
Pterygium starts as a harmless-looking wedge but can cause dryness, redness, and eventually blur if it reaches the cornea. Early protection, like UV sunglasses, hats, and regular lubrication, keeps symptoms controlled and growth slow.
If the tissue affects comfort or vision, timely surgery with a graft offers lasting relief and a lower chance of return.
FAQs
What is the best way to remove pterygium?
The best way to remove pterygium is surgical excision with a conjunctival (or amniotic) graft, which clears the growth and lowers the chance of recurrence.
What are the 4 stages of pterygium?
The 4 (four) stages of pterygium are early conjunctival growth, limbal approach, corneal involvement with astigmatism, and advanced growth near the visual axis.
Does pterygium need treatment?
Yes, pterygium needs treatment when symptoms are frequent, vision blurs, or astigmatism increases; small, quiet growths can be managed with lubrication and UV protection.
Can eye drops reduce pterygium?
Yes, eye drops can reduce redness and irritation but cannot shrink the tissue; only surgery removes the growth.
What is the cause of pterygium?
The cause of pterygium is chronic UV exposure combined with wind, dust, and dryness that irritate the ocular surface; genetics and outdoor work add risk.
How does pterygium start?
Pterygium starts as a flat, triangular patch on the white of the eye near the nose and gradually creep toward the cornea.
What are the symptoms for pterygium?
The symptoms for pterygium are a visible wedge-shaped growth, redness, dryness, grittiness, light sensitivity, watering, and blur if it reaches the cornea.
What is the early stage of the pterygium eye?
The early stage of the pterygium eye is a small, flat conjunctival growth with mild irritation and no effect on vision.
Can pterygium be treated without surgery?
No, pterygium can be treated without surgery for comfort using lubricants and short anti-inflammatory courses, but removal requires surgery if vision is affected.
How to reduce pterygium naturally?
The best way to reduce pterygium naturally is not to shrink it but to slow irritation, use UV400 sunglasses, a hat, preservative-free tears, and avoid dust and rubbing.
Is pterygium dangerous?
No, pterygium is not dangerous in most cases, but it can become vision-threatening if it grows onto the cornea.
