Pterygium surgery, sometimes referred to as pterygium excision or removal, is a procedure used to treat a common eye ailment in which the conjunctiva—the translucent membrane covering the white portion of the eye—grows fleshy tissue. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, dust, wind, and other environmental conditions are frequently linked to this illness. Even though pterygium is usually benign, if treatment is not received, it can lead to discomfort, irritation, and visual issues.An ophthalmologist often performs the procedure, and depending on the patient's preferences and the surgeon's recommendation, either local or general anesthesia may be used. To reduce pain, anesthetic eye drops or injections are used to numb the eye before to the surgery.The pterygium tissue is gently removed off the surface of the eye by the surgeon during the procedure. In certain instances, this tissue could stretch onto the cornea, the transparent front portion of the eye, necessitating extra care to guarantee thorough removal without endangering the cornea. Following the excision of the pterygium, the surgeon may cover the affected area using procedures such amniotic membrane transplantation or conjunctival autografting. By using these methods, the chance of a pterygium recurrence is decreased and the damaged area is encouraged to recover.Patients are typically instructed to follow particular guidelines post-surgery in order to facilitate healing and lower the possibility of problems. These can include wearing protective eyewear to screen the eyes from UV light and other environmental variables, avoiding intense activities that could increase eye pressure, and using prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation.Pterygium surgery recovery varies from patient to patient but usually takes several weeks. Patients may go through brief alterations in vision, redness, and slight discomfort while the eye recovers throughout this period. Patients must attend follow-up sessions with their ophthalmologist in order to track the healing process and handle any potential issues.Like every surgical operation, pterygium surgery includes some risks, such as bleeding, infection, scarring, and recurrence of the pterygium, even though it is usually safe and effective. However, most patients have successful outcomes and alleviation from pterygium-related symptoms with appropriate preoperative diagnosis, surgical technique, and postoperative care.
