Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
No treatment is needed unless the pterygium begins to block vision or causes symptoms that are hard to control. Then it should be removed with surgery. Wear protective glasses and a hat with a brim to prevent the condition from returning.
Support Groups
Expectations (prognosis)
Most pterygia cause no problems and do not need treatment. If a pterygium affects the cornea, results are usually good after it is removed.
Complications
A pterygium can return after it is removed.
Calling your health care provider
People with pterygium should be seen by an ophthalmologist each year, so that the condition can be treated before it affects vision.
Call for an appointment with your ophthalmologist if you have had a pterygium in the past and your symptoms return.
Images
Previous Section
Review Date: 11/08/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel E. Bustos, MD, MS, Private Practice specializing in
Comprehensive Ophthalmology in Eugene, OR. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
