Diseases

Pterygium

DEFINITION: It is an abnormal fibrovascular tissue in white-red colors moving through the cornea from the nasal part in the bulbar conjunctiva.


Figure 1. External appearance of pterygium

SYMPTOMS AND FINDINGS: Small ones do not cause any complaints, while their increase in size causes stinging, redness, irritation, and decreased vision due to irregular astigmatism.


CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS: It is mostly seen in adults exposed to sun for a long time and working in dry and dusty environments.


AUXILIARY INVESTIGATIONS AND DIAGNOSIS: Diagnosis is made through biomicroscopic examination.


TREATMENT: In small-sized asymptomatic cases, no treatment is administered. In symptomatic cases advancing through the corneal surface, surgical incision is applied.