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What are they?
PTERYGIUM is a growth of the conjunctiva over the cornea, of a benign nature, usually bilateral, asymptomatic in many cases, which can lead to eye discomfort.
A PINGUECULA is, so to speak, a preliminary step to a PTERYGIUM, since it is a lesion that does not invade the cornea, is yellowish in color, and can become inflamed and give rise to secondary symptoms.
What are its causes?
The main risk factors for these two pathologies are ultraviolet radiation and dry eye, hence they appear more frequently in warm countries and in patients who perform outdoor activities.
How do they manifest themselves?
The PINGUECULA appears as a small, whitish-yellow lesion, close to the corneal edge, but does not invade it.
A pterygium appears as a triangular or "wing"-shaped growth of the conjunctiva, which invades the cornea, frequently described as "a little film on the eye".
In many cases, the patient with these conditions is asymptomatic, but both lesions can become inflamed and lead to the following symptoms and/or signs:
- Red eye
- Tearing
- Sensation of a foreign body
- Stinging
- Discomfort with contact lenses
- Photophobia
In the most severe cases, PTERYGIUM can lead to astigmatism or even invade the pupillary axis, producing a decrease in visual acuity.
What is the treatment?
If inflammation is present, treatment for a pinguecula consists of moisturizing and anti-inflammatory eye drops. The lesion is only removed if it causes frequent irritation or for cosmetic reasons.
When a pterygium becomes inflamed and causes symptoms, it should also be treated with anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid eye drops and moisturizing. If eye drops are insufficient to control the discomfort, or if the lesion causes astigmatism and/or invades the center of the cornea, surgical removal should be considered. This surgery is performed under local anesthesia, does not require hospitalization, and in many cases, thanks to new biological adhesives, does not require sutures.
How can it be prevented?
We must bear in mind that even if the lesion has been removed, it can grow back, so it is very important to prevent its recurrence by using sunglasses and moisturizing eye drops to reduce dryness.
Candelaria Pinto Herrera
General and Preventive Ophthalmology
NIVARIA CLINIC
Medical specialist in Ophthalmology via MIR (HUC)
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