A PTERYGIUM (ter-IDG-ee-um) is a wedge-shaped growth of thickened tissue that covers a portion of the white part of the eye.  It usually starts growing near the inside corner of the eye and can extend onto the cornea, towards the pupil. PTERYGIUMS are non-cancerous and slow growing, but they can cause annoying symptoms and in severe cases, a PTERYGIUM can blur or even block a patient’s vision.

PTERYGIUM is the result of ultraviolet damage caused by the sun. It is most frequently seen in people with a great deal of outdoor exposure to sunlight and wind without proper eye protection.

The primary symptom of PTERYGIUM is a painless area of white tissue with blood vessels on the inner and/or outer edge of the cornea.  Some patients say they feel as if they have a foreign body in their eye.

Dr. Assil uses No-Stitch Pterygium/Amino Graft Surgery to remove PTERYGIUMS.  Using this surgical technique, combined with special medication, the rate of recurrence is dramatically reduced.  The procedure takes about 30 minutes to complete, and most patients are able to return to normal activities within one or two days of surgery.