Find relief from pterygium with guided care

Learn how treatment works and what it may mean for your eye comfort.

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

Find relief from pterygium with guided care

Learn how treatment works and what it may mean for your eye comfort.

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

A clearer way to manage surfer’s eye

Your clinician will guide you through the treatment process and what to expect.

Pterygium treatment suitability criteria

  • 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 exposure1https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pterygium#:~:text=Risk%20factors%20for%20a%20pterygium,-Pterygia%20are%20known&text=Excessive%20exposure%20to%20the%20ultraviolet,Age%20%E2%80%93%20risk%20increases%20with%20age.. 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.

  • The latest technique of pterygium removal is via excision with conjunctival autografting (PECG)2https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/new-approach-emerges-pterygium-surgery#:~:text=with%20autologous%20blood.-,No%20Sutures%2C%20No%20Glue,Academy’s%20Annual%20Meeting%20last%20fall.&text=With%20traditional%20sutures%2C%20Dr.
  • This is a day surgery procedure and takes about 15-20 minutes.

Possible advantages are:

Pterygium surgery removes the growth from the surface of the eye. Some people notice changes in the appearance of the eye or in their vision after the procedure, but experiences vary from person to person. Your clinician will explain what outcomes may be realistic for you.

Possible disadvantages

It is common to experience some discomfort after surgery. This usually settles as the eye heals, though the timeframe is different for everyone. Your surgeon will discuss the recovery process and what to expect in the days following treatment.

The main risks after pterygium surgery are:

  • Infection (very rare) 3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7182561/#:~:text=This%20study%20found%20an%20incidence,microbial%20keratitis%20after%20pterygium%20surgery.
  • Recurrence 4https://bjo.bmj.com/content/82/6/661
  • Eyelid droop – usually revolves 3 months after surgery.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

  • The procedure is performed with local anaesthesia and sedation
  • The pterygium is peeled back carefully such that any associated scarring is removed and only clear cornea is left behind.
  • To reduce the risk of regrowth Dr Gupta will perform an autoconjunctival graft. This is the relocation of a small portion of the conjunctiva (from under the upper lid) to the site of the excised pterygium.
  • Dr Gupta uses an advanced surgical glue which binds the graft to the eye in seconds such that no sutures are required
  • This results in significantly reduced postoperative discomfort, less inflammation and an enhanced recovery.5https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10365254/

People often experience some discomfort or a feeling that the eye is “different” as it begins to heal. Many patients take about a week off work, depending on how their eye feels and the type of work they do.

It is common for the eye to appear red for a period after surgery. Your clinician will explain what you may notice during recovery and how to care for the eye as it heals.

Explore new ways to manage your vision and feel more confident in your next steps

Learn more about the options available to support your eye health

3 simple steps to find the right treatment

Eye treatment options can be confusing. We’ve made the journey as straightforward as can be

Get in touch

Many people are unsure about which eye treatment can help them and which option they should choose. The first step is to get a clear answer on whether one of our treatments will suit your needs. Give our friendly team a call us on: 08 7082 2066 or request a call back.

We’ll meet

You can rest assured that we will answer all of your questions and help you decide on an appropriate treatment option. We’ll also provide a clear recommendation based on what works well with your needs.

MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE

At our eye clinic in Adelaide, we offer a range of treatment options designed to address different vision needs. After your procedure, you will be guided through what to expect as you adjust to your vision. Many people find that this stage helps them return to their usual routines with more clarity about how to manage their eye health.

Affiliations and memberships

We are proud to be a part of these professional bodies

Learn more about pterygium treatment through these online resources

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

Pterygium surgery is a procedure performed to remove noncancerous conjunctiva growths (pterygia) from the eye. It is a minimally invasive surgery and generally takes no more than 30 to 45 minutes. Click here for more information.

A pterygium is an elevated, wedged-shaped bump on the eyeball that starts on the white of the eye (sclera) and can invade the cornea. If you have more than one of these eye growths, the plural form of the word is pterygia. Though it’s commonly called “surfer’s eye,” you don’t have to be a surfer or ever see the ocean to get a pterygium. But being in bright sunlight for long hours — especially when you are on the water, which reflects the sun’s harmful UV rays — increases your risk.

This paper providess a comprehensive list of causes, signs And symptoms, recurrence and treatment. Click here for more information.

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