The American Academy of is the world’s largest association of eye treatment Summary physicians and surgeons. A global community Your ophthalmologist can treat the Pinguecula and pterygia are growths on the Pinguecula of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight discomfort, redness or swelling from a white of your eye. Pinguecula is a yellow and empower lives by setting the standards pterygium with lubricating or steroid spot or bump on the , often on and Pterygium for ophthalmic education and advocating eye drops. the side of the eye near your nose. A for our patients and the public. For more pterygium is a fleshy growth that may start information, visit www.aao.org. If a pterygium grows large enough to cause as a pinguecula. It can grow large enough to problems, your ophthalmologist will probably cover part of the . Both are believed recommend surgery to remove it. Once the to be caused by exposure to (UV) pterygium is removed, your surgeon may light from the sun. COMPLIMENTS OF: transplant a thin piece of normal tissue onto the affected area. This technique helps Treatment for pinguecula and pterygium reduce the chance that your pterygium will may include lubricating eye drops or steroid grow back. eye drops. If a pterygium grows large enough to cause problems, surgery will The best way to keep pinguecula and be recommended to remove it. pterygium from coming back is to avoid dryness, sunlight and dust. The best way to keep pinguecula and pterygium from coming back is to avoid dryness, sunlight and dust.

©2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology 051227-2 Academy reviewed 03/16 978-1-61525-725-6

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160329_LOT V_051227-2_Pinguecula-Pterygium_03-16_FINAL.inddSAMPLE 1 2/19/16 10:41 PM What are pinguecula and Avoiding pinguecula and How are pinguecula and pterygium? pterygium pterygium treated? Pinguecula and pterygium are growths on lf you have had a pinguecula or a pterygium In many cases pinguecula and pterygium your eye’s conjunctiva, the clear covering at least once before, try to avoid the things do not need to be treated. However, if over the white part of the eye. that cause these growths. Here are some your eyes are uncomfortable or your ways: vision is affected, you may need Pinguecula is a growth that looks like a treatment. wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from yellow spot or bump on the conjunctiva. It ultraviolet (UV) light often appears on the side of the eye near protect your eyes from dust by wearing your nose. A pinguecula is a deposit of Pinguecula treatment protein, fat, or calcium. glasses or goggles use artificial tears when your eyes are Drops to lubricate your eyes can help Pterygium is a growth of fleshy tissue very dry relieve dry eye irritation from pinguecula. that may start as a pinguecula. It can They also help relieve that annoying remain small or grow large enough to feeling as if you have something in your cover part of the cornea. When this eye. If pinguecula causes redness and happens, it can affect your vision. swelling in your eye, your doctor may What are pinguecula and prescribe steroid eye drops. Both pinguecula and pterygium are pterygium symptoms? believed to be caused by having dry eyes. When a pinguecula affects your vision or Symptoms of pinguecula and pterygium can These growths may also be caused by its appearance bothers you, you may need range from mild to severe. They include: exposure to wind, dust, and ultraviolet surgery. (UV) light from the sun. redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, mostly while the pterygium grows a yellow spot or bump on the white of Eye Words to Know your eye Conjunctiva: Clear tissue covering the dry, itchy, burning eyes. Or feeling like white part of your eye and the inside of sand or grit is stuck in your eye your . blurry vision Cornea: Clear, dome-shaped window of the front of your eye. It focuses light into your eye. : The outer layer of the eye. This is the “white” of the eye.

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