Pterygium Surgery

What types of conditions will benefit from Pterygium Surgery?

A pterygium is a triangular shaped growth that covers the white part of the eye. It typically presents near the inner corner of the eye and can encroach onto the cornea towards the pupil. Pterygium surgery treats this eye condition.

What does the procedure involve?

The pterygium is removed. Large pterygiums usually require a graft after the pterygium is removed. Stitches are dissolvable and can take up to 4 weeks to disappear. Sedation is administered by our anaesthetist into a small vein on the back of the hand for your comfort.

What are the risks?

As with any surgical procedure there are risks to consider before having surgery. Technology and surgical techniques have reduced these risks to a very low level however, these need to be considered.

Patients need to be aware of the risks associated with any surgical procedure they undergo. This type of surgery is a safe and commonly performed procedure. Complications often resolve with time.

Serious complications are rare. Some possible complications associated with the surgery are:

• Early recurrence, redness and irritation.

What are the benefits

Pterygium surgery is fairly successful. There is a small risk of re growth amongst younger patients. While your eye doctor will use the current best practice to prevent re-growth, the risk of recurrence is not predictable.