Pterygium is a harmless growth on your eye that is caused by irritants like dust, dry eye, and exposure to UV light. It is a growth on the clear tissue that lines your eyelids and covers your eye. It usually starts on the inner corner of the eye and grows toward the pupil in a blurred triangle shape. While it usually does not affect your vision, pterygium can be annoying and feel like you have something in your eye at all times. They can also cause occasional eye irritation and redness.

Pterygium can be treated in several ways. Over-the-counter or prescription eye drops can help ease symptoms and prevent the redness that comes with pterygium.

If you would like to remove the growth, then we can surgically remove it with a quick outpatient procedure. Most pterygium do not grow back after the surgery, but some do.

The growths can be prevented by wearing sunglasses, so if you spend time outdoors or you have pterygium starting to form on your eye, then make sure you're wearing sunglasses whenever you can.