What is Pterygium?
(surfer’s eye)
A pterygium (pronounced “ter-idge-ee-um”) is a wing-like growth over the surface of the clear front window of the eye (cornea) caused by the accumulated effects of sunlight burning the surface of the eye. Most begin as a small sunspot on the “white of the eye” in areas exposed to high levels of ultraviolet light (UV).
With prolonged exposure, slow growth occurs over the eye (figure 1) often with increasing redness, irritation, corneal scarring, reduced vision, watering, and an unsightly appearance.
