What is a pterygium? eyelid. pupil. conjunctiva. iris. Normal eye. cornea. growth onto. conjunctiva. cornea. iris. Eye with pterygium

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1 Pterygium

2 What is a pterygium? A pterygium is a raised wedge-shaped growth that occurs on the surface of the eye. It is thought to be related to increased exposure to ultra-violet (UV) light, as it is more common in people who have lived in sunny areas. Pterygium starts as an area of redness and thickening on the conjunctiva, usually on the inner aspect of the white of the eye. In some cases, the pterygium may extend across onto the cornea, which is the clear front window of the eye. If the pterygium grows towards the middle of the cornea, it should be surgically removed. pupil eyelid conjunctiva iris Normal eye growth onto cornea cornea conjunctiva iris Eye with pterygium Pterygia can cause a number of problems. They may be easily visible and cause cosmetic embarrassment. They often become sore, red, and gritty, especially with wind, smoke or dust. Eventually the pterygium may interfere with the vision either by distorting the cornea or by extending over the pupil.

3 How can a pterygium be treated? The comfort of a pterygium may be improved by using eye drops such as artificial tear drops or decongestant drops. These often help with the redness of the eye as well. Some pterygia, which continue to cause problems, may require surgical removal. Surgical procedure In surgery, the pterygium is removed and a small piece of the conjunctiva, which is the thin transparent skin that covers the white of the eye, is placed into this site from under the upper lid. Recently tissue glue (Tisseel) is being used in pterygium procedures as an alternative to sutures. Using Tisseel to attach the graft allows a quicker procedure and may reduce postoperative discomfort. The surgery is performed under local anaesthetic. There should be no pain during the surgery, which takes approximately half an hour. Following the procedure, a prescription is given for eye ointment or eye drops and pain relief tablets. For approximately 1-2 weeks following surgery, getting water, dust or dirt in the eye should be avoided. A Eye with pterygium

4 A B (A) The pterygium is lifted free of the eye and excised. (B) A graft of conjunctiva from under the upper eyelid is used to cover the defect. Eye free of pterygium with conjunctival graft in place Will the pterygium grow back? One of the main problems with the removal of a pterygium is that re-growth may occur, although this happens in fewer than 5% with newer surgical techniques. To reduce the risk of recurrence, you should try to reduce exposure to ultra-violet light following surgery by wearing sunglasses or

5 a hat when outdoors. Your surgeon may advise you not to have the surgery performed over the summer months for this reason. Protect your eyes from sun exposure Protect yor eyes from dust and wind Use eye drops to increase comfort For more information on pterygium please contact our friendly specialist team.

6 Auckland Eye life-changing ophthalmic care New Zealand s largest and most highly specialised Eye Centre offers: the best quality care as each ophthalmologist has international and specialist training in specific eye diseases and surgery techniques modern day stay facilities for cataract and outpatient ophthalmic surgery state-of-the-art laser surgery for refractive errors appointments throughout the Auckland and Northland regions Auckland Eye is dedicated to providing the highest quality service in a caring environment. From our surgical team through to front desk staff we place your requirements and comfort first. Auckland Eye is the only private sector eye centre in Auckland that has Quality Health New Zealand accreditation (QHNZ), for quality of patient care. Centrally located in Remuera, near Newmarket, our main clinical and surgical facilities provide easy motorway access, off street parking and wheelchair access. Our expanding coverage includes dedicated facilities at the Apollo Clinic in Albany and surgical facilities at Shore Surgical in Milford. In addition to these we provide appointments at a wide range of locations throughout Auckland and north to Whangarei (see our website for locations). Auckland Eye is an affiliated provider to Southern Cross Healthcare Society.

7 Auckland Eye Surgeons Dr Stephen Best Botany Dr David Pendergrast Papakura Pukekohe Dr Dean Corbett BSc, Red Beach Dr Archie McGeorge Takapuna Red Beach Dr Justin Mora Papakura Pukekohe Blockhouse Bay Dr Yvonne Ng Botany Henderson Dr Alison Pereira FRCOphth Assoc. Prof. Philip Polkinghorne MD, Papatoetoe Whangarei Dr Paul Rosser Dr Jo Sims Freemans Bay Dr Sue Ormonde MD, FRCOphth Westgate St Heliers

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