Pterygia are not very common in western Washington - thanks to our cool , damp , cloudy days . However , some workers who are outdoors most of the time , including fishermen and industrial workers exposed to a lot of dust and irritating fumes may develop pterygia more commonly . Simple treatments are recommended to prevent pterygia from growing larger in size - to try to prevent the need for surgery . Sunglasses with ultraviolet protection outdoors are recommended . Frequent use of artificial tears provide comfort and also help prevent growth of pterygia .
Surgery is to be avoided , if possible , because a significant number of pterygia can re-grow .