Anatom3DPterygium (surfer's eye)
Pterygium conjunctivae · Pterygium (oko surfařů)
What it is
A wedge of fleshy tissue creeping from the white of the eye onto the cornea, driven by sun, wind and dust.
Symptoms & signs
- Pink fleshy triangle on the inner white of the eye
- redness and grittiness
- dry, irritated eye
- blurred vision if it reaches the centre
🚩 Get help if…
- see a doctor soon Growth reaching the centre of the cornea or blurring vision
- see a doctor soon Fast-growing, raised or bleeding growth
- see a doctor soon Painful red eye
- see a doctor soon Double vision
Where it strikes
Medical treatment
- Lubricating drops
- short steroid drops for flares
- surgery with conjunctival autograft if it threatens vision
- mitomycin or antimetabolite to prevent regrowth
Natural & lifestyle
- UV-blocking sunglasses and hats
- avoid dust and wind
- artificial tears
Emerging & experimental
- Anti-VEGF drops to slow regrowth
- fibrin-glue grafting
Alternative, off-label & anecdotal
Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.
- Castor oil drops — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional
- Omega-3 for dry eye — mixed trial results in dry eye early / small studies
- Honey eye drops — anecdotal; risk of infection anecdotal / traditional
ICD codes
- ICD-10 H11.0
- ICD-11 9A61.1 Pterygium