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Pterygium

What is a Pterygium?

A pterygium is a non-cancerous, triangular-shaped growth of tissue that develops on the conjunctiva—the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye. It can extend onto the cornea, the transparent front surface of the eye, potentially affecting vision. Pterygia most commonly originate on the inner (nasal) side of the eye and may appear red, pink, white, yellow, or gray.

What Causes a Pterygium?

This condition often develops in people exposed to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light or chronic dryness. It is particularly common in those who live in hot, sunny climates.

Symptoms of Pterygium

  • Dryness, grittiness, tearing, and redness due to disruption of the tear film.
  • Irritation, especially for contact lens wearers.
  • Blurred vision if the pterygium extends onto the cornea or induces astigmatism.
  • Intermittent inflammation and discomfort.
  • Recurrence can lead to scarring and more severe symptoms.

Treatment Options for Pterygium

Medical Management:

Relieve dryness, irritation, and redness.

Wearing sunglasses reduces exposure to harmful UV light.

Topical steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help during flare-ups.

Surgical Treatment:

When the pterygium causes significant vision impairment, chronic inflammation, or persistent discomfort, surgical removal is the definitive treatment.

Modern Surgical Techniques:

The pterygium is carefully removed, and a graft of conjunctival tissue from a healthy area of the same eye is used to cover the affected site. This method is highly effective at reducing recurrence and promoting faster healing.

Advances in surgical technology, such as the use of Tisseel® fibrin glue, eliminate the need for sutures in most cases. The glue secures the graft in place, reducing surgery time, improving comfort during recovery, and minimizing complications like irritation from sutures.

With these techniques, recurrence rates are significantly reduced compared to older methods, often falling to less than 10%.

Post-Surgery Care

Patients typically experience a swift recovery with minimal discomfort. Specific post-operative instructions, including the use of prescribed eye drops and activity restrictions, help ensure optimal healing and long-term success.

For Printable Pterygium Surgery Instructions

Take Action for Your Eye Health

If you’re experiencing symptoms of pterygium or have concerns about your eye health, consulting an experienced surgeon is essential. At North Toronto Eye Care, our skilled specialists—Dr. Hess, Dr. Le, and Dr. Moti—are experts in managing pterygium using state-of-the-art techniques tailored to your unique needs.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn how we can help restore your eye health and comfort.

Pterygium Doctors

Tiiu Hess, MD, FRCSC
Tiiu Hess, MD, FRCSC
Tran D. Le, MD, FRCSC
Tran D. Le, MD, FRCSC
Farah Moti, MD, FRCSC
Farah Moti, MD, FRCSC
Yelin Yang, MD FRCSC
Yelin Yang, MD FRCSC
Our Location

North Toronto Eye Surgery Centre

Champagne Centre
2 Champagne Dr.
Unit C2 East Entrance
Toronto, Ontario M3J 0K2 Canada

416.792.3043
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‍Friday 9:00AM – 3:00PM
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