A pinguecula (pterygium) is a yellow, thick, mucous membrane on the white part of the eye. ธhat forms near the cornea.
Pterygium is a noncancerous growth in the eye that usually occurs in the upper-center part of the white of the eye. Between your upper and lower eyelids, which is an area exposed to sunlight.
Pterygium usually affects the white of the eye more toward the nose. But it can also occur on the outer white of the eye (more toward the ear).
What causes pterygium?
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of pinguecula (plural: pingueculae), but frequent exposure to dust and wind is also a risk factor. Dry eye disease can also be a contributing factor and can promote the growth of pinguecula. สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้นUltraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of pinguecula (plural: pingueculae). But frequent exposure to dust and wind is also a risk factor. Dry eye disease can also be a contributing factor and can promote the growth of pinguecula.
Pterygium is most common in middle-aged and older people. Who spend a lot of time in the sun, but it can also occur in younger people and even children, especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors. Wear sunglasses or a hat to protect your eyes from UV rays.
To reduce your risk of developing pterygium, it’s important to wear sunglasses outdoors. Even on overcast and cloudy days, as the sun’s UV rays can penetrate cloud cover. For the best protection, choose sunglasses with a close-fitting frame design, which blocks more sunlight than traditional frames.
Signs and symptoms of pterygium
In most people, pterygium does not cause many symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, it is usually due to tear film obstruction.
Because pterygium is a raised area on the top of the eye. The natural tear film may not be evenly distributed across the surface of the eye, causing dryness. This can cause dry eye symptoms such as burning, itching, blurred vision, and a foreign body sensation.
Other symptoms of pterygium include the presence of extra blood vessels in the conjunctiva that covers the white of the eye, which causes the eye to become red .
In some cases, the pterygium can become swollen and inflamed, called pterygium inflammation. Irritation and redness from pterygium inflammation are often caused. By excessive exposure to sunlight, wind, dust, or dry weather.
People sometimes confuse pterygium with a growth of tissue in the eye called a pterygium, but the two are different. Learn more about what pterygium is.
Pterygium treatment
Treatment for pterygium depends on how severe the condition is. It is very important for anyone with pterygium to protect their eyes from the sun, as the sun’s harmful UV rays cause the pterygium to grow larger.
So to reduce your risk of developing pterygium, protect your eyes from the sun whenever you are outdoors during the day (even on overcast days, as the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through clouds).
Consider purchasing auto-tinting lenses. These lenses automatically darken in sunlight and block 100 percent of ultraviolet rays. Auto-tinting lenses also protect your eyes from harmful high-energy blue light . Ask your eye care professional for more details.
If pterygium symptoms are mild but occur along with irritation, dryness, or a foreign body sensation, your doctor may prescribe lubricating eye drops to relieve the symptoms. Scleral contact lenses are sometimes prescribed by your doctor to seal the growth, protect against some of the effects of dryness, or possibly from additional UV exposure.
Pterygium can also lead to localized inflammation and swelling. Which is sometimes treated with steroid eye drops or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If dry eyes are the cause of the pterygium, a special dry eye eye drop formula may be needed.
Surgical removal of pterygium may be considered if the pterygium causes significant discomfort, if it interferes with wearing contact lenses or blinking, or if it is a bother.
Finally, even though pterygium is not cancerous, you should report any changes in the size, shape, or color of the bump on your eye to your eye care professional.