A pterygium is a benign, wing-shaped growth of fleshy tissue that develops over the conjunctiva and can encroach onto the clear cornea. Common in warm, dry climates with high UV exposure (such as the Free State) it is strongly associated with sunlight, dust, and wind exposure.
PTERYGIUM
An overview of
PTERYGIUMS
SYMPTOMS
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Ocular Irritation:Â Persistent redness, burning, grittiness, or foreign-body sensation.
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Cosmetic Changes:Â A visible, vascularised tissue growth on the white of the eye.
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Visual Impairment:Â Advanced growths can distort corneal shape (inducing astigmatism) or block the central visual axis.
DIAGNOSIS & SCREENING
Diagnosis is made via standard slit-lamp biomicroscopy to evaluate how far the growth extends onto the corneal surface.
TREATMENT & SURGICAL CARE
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Conservative Therapy:Â Lubricating drops or mild anti-inflammatory medications to manage temporary dryness and surface irritation.
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Microsurgical Excision:Â Surgical removal is recommended when the growth causes chronic discomfort, visual distortion, or cosmetic concern. To minimise recurrence, the tissue is meticulously excised and covered with a conjunctival autograft.