Pterygium (Surfer’s eye) is a growth on your eyeball

We can easily correct this condition with eye drops

Patients inquiring about Pterygium treatment will need a referral from their optometrist or GP.

Pterygium (Surfer’s eye) is a growth on your eyeball

We can easily correct this condition with eye drops

Patients inquiring about cataract surgery will need a referral from their optometrist or GP.

Patients inquiring about cataract surgery will need a referral from their optometrist or GP.

Fix your pterygium and enjoy clear and comfortable eyes

Quickly discover more about this condition and how we treat it

Pterygium incidence / prevalence

  • A pterygium is an abnormal growth of the conjunctiva (the skin of the eye.) A pterygium is benign (not cancerous), but if not removed, it can continue to grow and cover the cornea and limit your vision by causing permanent scarring and astigmatism.

  • Pterygiums are generally caused by excess exposure to the sun and are more common in people who have lived in warm and tropical climates of prolonged sun exposure. Most often a pterygium is located on the part of the conjunctiva closer to the nose and can appear as a yellow-red “bump” on the eye.
  • Genetic factors may play a part but exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun is thought to play a major role.

  • Pterygium is diagnosed at your clinical consultation with your optometrist or with Dr Gupta.
  • The pterygium may warrant treatment if:
    • The growth is large enough to cover the pupil which can blur or obstruct vision.
    • It’s causing irritation, tearing, and discomfort.
    • It pulls on the cornea, distorting its shape and causing astigmatism.
    • It looks red and unattractive.

  • The latest technique of pterygium removal is via excision with conjunctival autografting (PECG)1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7413326/. This is a day surgery procedure and takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • The procedure is performed with local anesthesia and sedation. Dr. Gupta uses an advanced surgical glue that binds the graft to the eye in seconds such that no sutures are required. This results in significantly reduced post-operative discomfort, less inflammation, and enhanced recovery.
  • Generally, patients have minimal discomfort. There is often awareness that their eye feels “different” for a few days. Postoperatively, the eye will usually remain red for 2-3 weeks after surgery.

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Learn more about pterygium through these online resources

Expand your knowledge about pterygium. (These links will take you off our website.)

This seminal paper illustrates the prevalence of and risk factors for pterygium in a population sample of residents of Australia aged 40 years and older. Click here for more.

The aim of this paper is to describe the number of Australians affected by pterygium in recent years, treatment options and the real costs of not having treatment. Click here for more.

Pinguecula and pterygium are both caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and made worse by chronic dryness or irritation.

A pterygium, also known as surfer’s eye, is a raised, wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva that extends onto the cornea — the outer layer of the eye. These growths also can occur on either side of the eye. In some instances they remain small, but they can potentially grow to the point of feeling uncomfortable or affecting vision.

Pterygia usually cause irritation, redness or a sensation of something in the eye, and sometimes cause decreased or distorted vision after changing the shape of the cornea. Click here for more.

Hi, I’m Dr Aanchal Gupta, your laser and cataract surgeon in Adelaide

Over the past 10 years, I’ve had the joy of helping thousands of patients of all ages gain clear vision and freedom from glasses and contact lenses.

Laser eye surgery is a skill. Performing vision correction at a world-class standard hinges upon the expertise of your surgeon and their access to state-of-the-art tools.

I understand that getting eye surgery is a serious decision. Your eyes are unique and you should demand a custom solution tailored to your needs, lifestyle and goals. That’s why we offer a free appointment so we can meet and I can take the time to answer your questions and talk through any concerns you have.

I am passionate about helping patients transform their lives. I look forward to spending time with you at our gorgeous eye clinic in the heart of Adelaide to see whether you could gain exceptional vision without the need for glasses or contacts.

Dr Aanchal Gupta

MBBS, M.Med. (Ophth. Sci.), Grad. Dip. (Refract. Surg.), FRANZCO
Expert Laser Eye and Cataract Surgeon