The main cause of pterygium is not fully understood, but there are many associated or aggravating factors such as dust, dry air, wind and most important of all, the sun's ultraviolet rays. The chief complaint most often heard from patients with pterygiums is the cosmetic effect of a red eye due to the growth and problems with dry or tearing eyes as well as sensations of burning and scratching. In the initial stage while the pterygium is still small, eyedrops are the treatment of choice along with preventative measures such as good sunglasses and avoiding too much sun. If the pterygium becomes bigger or causes more discomfort, it can be surgically removed either under local anaesthesia. Most patients are referred for irradiation therapy after the surgery as this plays an important role in preventing another pterygium from growing.
Many people mistakenly refer to pterygium as cataract.
This is an error - a cataract is an opacity of the lens inside the eye, while a pterygium is a growth on the surface of the eye extending toward or over the cornea. A pterygium can however also cause the vision to decrease before it has grown over the pupil by causing distortion of the corneal surface, and so inducing astigmatism. A small percentage of pterygiums can become cancerous and it is therefore advisable to consult your eye specialist if you suspect that you might have a pterygium. If you have any further questions regarding pterygium or other growths, please consult your eye specialist.