These lesions should be monitored by both yourself and your eye doctor in order to prevent any visual loss. Surgical excision of pterygiae is fairly successful if removed on time and is an outpatient procedure. Maybe the biggest problem with pterygium surgery is recurrence. Pingueculae are less exciting and rarely require surgery, but if it is performed, the lesions rarely grow back. Pterygiae have been around since 1000 B.C., according to students of Hippocrates, Galen, and others.
Most researchers point to ultraviolet radiation as a major cause.
Other factors include warm, dry climates, as well as loss of tear quality in the eyes. One of the largest risk factors is where you live. There is also a significant risk for people that work outdoors in a sandy environment. For pingueculae, the jury is still out. It is unknown whether UVR is a factor in the development of these lesions.