tory drops for one week. Thereafter mild, very safe steroid drops are used for a few weeks in a BURBANK PATIENTS GUIDE tapering dose. FOR THE TREATMENT OF In the past, doctors were often reluctant to recommend surgery for these growths due to patient discomfort and high recurrence rates. PTERYGIUM Today our techniques have provided a very com - fortable experience with very low recurrence rates.

2625 W. Alameda Ave., #208 Burbank, CA 91505 (818) 845-3557

SHERMAN OAKS

Before surgery

13320 Riverside Dr., #114 Robert E. Feinfield, M.D. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 501-3937

After surgery

www.bergfeinfield.com Robert Feinfield, M.D. Though genetics may play a role in the devel - Pterygium & Pingueculum opment of these growths, environmental exposures to wind, dust, allergens, and particularly the sun Dr. Robert Feinfield is a Do you have an unsightly, yellow or red, irritat - (ultraviolet radiation) are important risk factors. board certified ophthalmol - ed growth on the surface of your eye? Does your Chronic inflammation can lead to enlargement of ogist specializing in micro- eye tear, burn or have a chronic gritty foreign body these lesions along with redness, tearing, itching, surgery of Pterygium and sensation? and general discomfort. They can make wearing Pingueculum. When very contact lenses uncomfortable. They can grow on few eye surgeons had an You may have a Pterygium or Pingueculum. A to the visual axis resulting in scarring and astigma - Pingueculum is an elevated often yellowish growth tism (irregular shape of the cornea), and ultimate - interest in the treatment of ly to loss of vision. In very rare instances they can these bothersome growths, on the white of the eye. A Pterygium is an inflam - matory, fibro-vascular growth that extends from degenerate into malignancy, and are cosmetically Dr. Feinfield made it one of unattractive. his goals to develop treat - the white (sclera) of the eye on to the cornea. ments and techniques to They also occur most often in the horizontal axis successfully remedy these from the nasal portion of the eye to the cornea; the inflammatory and potentially sight-threatening lesions. lens overlying the iris (the colored part of the eye). Treatment His pioneering work with amniotic membrane grafting, conjunctival grafting, and biologic glue has enabled Dr. Pingueculae and Pterygia can be initially Feinfield to treat these growths with excellent cosmetic treated with lubricants such as artificial tears. results and very low recurrence rates. His suture-less Medications such as non-steroidal and steroid surgery provides for a painless and easy post-operative drops are also often used to suppress swelling and course, enabling patients to return to work and play in a inflammation. However, if the lesion continues to matter of days. cause bothersome symptoms or demonstrate persis - tant growth, surgery is often indicated. Dr. Feinfield has lectured widely to doctors and other health care professionals on the subject of Pterygium Microsurgery of these growths can now be and Pingueculum. In addition to the treatment of these done very safely and comfortably. Utilizing inflammatory lesions, Dr. Feinfield is widely regarded as local/topical anesthesia and mild sedation, these a specialist in small incision cataract surgery and lesions can be removed as an outpatient in our eye surgery center. Current techniques have enabled advanced intraocular lenses, having been featured on us to remove pinguecula and pterygia with virtual - the Discovery Health Channel. Pingueculum ly no pain or discomfort and result in an excellent outcome with very low risk of recurrence. With An honors graduate of the University of California, San the use of amniotic membrane grafting (the inner Francisco School of Medicine, Dr. Feinfield performed lining of the placenta) placed on the area of his ophthalmology residency at the Ochsner/LSU Eye removal with a biologic glue avoid’s the use of Center in New Orleans. Dr. Feinfield has served as sutures. Along with anti-inflammatory medication, Chairman of Ophthalmology, Providence St. Joseph the results and comfort have been outstanding. In Medical Center and is currently an appointed Expert some instances where lesions are very inflamed or Reviewer for the California Medical Board. have recurred from prior surgery, the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane lining of the eye) can be Dr. Feinfield is the founder of Music4Sight, benefiting harvested and moved to another part of the eye to vision impaired musicians, and is also an advisor and assist in healing and prevent recurrence. volunteer faculty member for ORBIS International, the Sometimes both amniotic membrane and conjunc - Flying Eye Hospital. tiva are used. When not in the office, Dr. Feinfield enjoys golf, fly Postoperatively patients are patched overnight fishing, producing music, and spending time with his Pterygium and then placed on antibiotic and anti-inflamma - wife and three boys.