Pterygium Surgery: Removing Eye Surface Growths Safely

A pterygium (pronounced "ter-IJ-ee-um") is a wedge-shaped growth of thickened conjunctival tissue that extends from the white of the eye (sclera) onto the clear cornea. While benign, a pterygium can cause chronic irritation, redness, a foreign-body sensation, and — if it grows large enough to encroach on the visual axis — progressive astigmatism and blurred vision.

Pterygia are strongly associated with cumulative ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, which is why they are more common in people who have spent significant time outdoors, particularly in tropical or high-UV environments. Wind, dust, and dry conditions are also contributing factors. Despite the UK's temperate climate, pterygia are not uncommon in patients with a history of outdoor work, tropical travel, or military service.

Not every pterygium requires surgery. Small, asymptomatic pterygia can be managed conservatively with lubricating eye drops and UV-protective sunglasses. Surgery is recommended when the growth causes persistent discomfort that does not respond to drops, when it threatens to encroach on the central visual axis, or when it induces significant corneal astigmatism.

The gold-standard surgical technique is pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft. Miss Khanam carefully removes the pterygium tissue, then covers the exposed area with a thin graft of healthy conjunctival tissue taken from beneath the upper eyelid. This graft is secured with tissue adhesive (fibrin glue) rather than sutures, resulting in significantly less post-operative discomfort and faster healing.

The autograft technique has transformed pterygium surgery outcomes. Older bare-sclera removal methods had recurrence rates as high as 50–80%. With conjunctival autograft, recurrence rates drop to approximately 5–10%. The addition of intraoperative mitomycin C (an anti-fibrotic agent) in selected cases can reduce recurrence further, to below 5%.

The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes per eye and is performed under local anaesthesia as a day case. Recovery involves mild redness and irritation for one to two weeks, with most patients returning to work within a few days. A course of steroid and antibiotic eye drops is prescribed for four to six weeks post-operatively.

Prevention is important for patients who have had a pterygium removed. Wraparound UV-protective sunglasses should be worn during all outdoor activities, and regular lubricating drops help maintain a healthy ocular surface. These measures also reduce the risk of developing a pterygium in the fellow eye.

Pterygium surgery at K Vision Centre is available from £1,200 per eye. Book a consultation with Miss Tina Khanam at Harley Street, Spire Gatwick Park, or Spire St Anthony's to assess your pterygium and discuss treatment options.