Pterygium and Pinguecula Treatment
Spending time outdoors without protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV rays, wind, and dust can cause pterygium and pinguecula. These non-cancerous growths on the conjunctiva, the clear covering over the whites of your eyes, may seem alarming, but they are typically harmless. If they grow large, they can interfere with vision and cause pain, and in extreme cases may require medical treatment and surgery.
At Eye MDs of Inland, we offer cutting-edge ophthalmic care through advanced techniques like suture-less amniotic membrane surgery. This procedure effectively reduces re-growth-related issues, often restoring the eye’s natural white appearance (results are based on many factors and cannot be guaranteed). Your eye surgeon can discuss specific risks with you.
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Pinguecula is a raised white or yellowish-colored growth on the conjunctiva that may contain fat-like material. It typically does not affect vision if it stays small and contained in the corner of the eye, but it can sometimes interfere with tear production and cause redness, dry eye, inflammation, and interfere with contact lens use.
Pterygium, also known as surfer’s eye, is a fleshy growth on the conjunctiva that contains blood vessels. Pterygiums may remain small, but they can grow into part of the cornea, which causes extreme discomfort and affects vision if it changes the shape of the cornea. Many patients with pterygiums have red or irritated-looking eyes and report feeling as if something is stuck in their eyes.
The most common treatment in the early stages of pterygium and pinguecula is a prescription for eye drops to alleviate dryness and irritation. Your Eye MD or ophthalmologist can remove the pinguecula or pterygium if it becomes painful, changes the shape of the cornea, or affects your ability to blink.
Wearing adequate eye protection outdoors is the best way to prevent pterygium, pinguecula, and other eye problems. Always wear sunglasses that block UV rays during daylight hours and stay in the shade when possible. Keeping your eyes lubricated with eye drops can also help reduce the effects of wind and dust and the likelihood of developing these growths.
Dr. Marc Shomer, MD PhD, brings more than 17 years of expertise as an accomplished eye surgeon specializing in pterygium and pinguecula surgery. His approach involves utilizing sutureless methods with amniotic membranes, facilitating rapid healing while rejuvenating and revitalizing the ocular surface. Dr Shomer was trained at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and teaches Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute at USC.
Examples of Dr. Shomer's Pterygium Surgeries Before and After, Utilizing Sutureless Amniotic Membrane Technique
Pterygium surgery
Pterygium surgery using sutureless amniotic membrane transplantation is a specialized technique employed to treat pterygium, which is a non-cancerous growth of tissue on the conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye) that may extend onto the cornea (the transparent front part of the eye).
- The surgeon carefully removes the pterygium from the surface of the eye, including the underlying abnormal blood vessels.
- Amniotic Membrane Transplantation: An amniotic membrane, obtained from the innermost layer of the placenta and processed as a thin, transparent graft, is placed over the exposed area of the eye where the pterygium was removed. The amniotic membrane serves as a biological dressing that promotes healing and reduces inflammation.
- Sutureless Technique: In the sutureless approach, the amniotic membrane is secured to the eye's surface without the need for sutures (stitches). Instead, it adheres using a biological adhesive.
The use of amniotic membrane in pterygium surgery has several benefits:
- It promotes faster healing and reduces postoperative inflammation.
- It helps reduces recurrence of the pterygium by providing a barrier between the conjunctiva and the cornea.
- There is no need to obtain a graft of conjunctiva from the top part of your eye so the technique is less destructive and therefore faster healing.
- The sutureless technique avoids the potential complications associated with sutures, such as irritation or the need for suture removal.
- Like all surgical procedures, there are potential risks associated with pterygium surgery. These risks may include pterygium recurrence, scarring, redness, double vision, the possibility of requiring additional surgery, and, in rare cases, infection and vision loss. Prior to the surgery, it is essential to have a comprehensive discussion with your healthcare provider to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of the procedure.
Eye MDs of Inland Use Modern Pterygium Surgery Using Sutureless Amniotic Membrane.
Our Eye MDs (ophthalmologist) focus on long-term eye health and work to improve or maintain your vision. Many problems do not appear until the later stages of life and require thorough care to resolve or manage them. We conduct comprehensive eye exams to monitor and detect the early signs of eye diseases.
Superior Care for Your Eyes
Whether you have a pterygium, pinguecula, or other eye condition, you can have confidence in Eye MDs of Inland for compassionate ophthalmology care.
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