What is pterygium and pinguecula?
Pterygium and pinguecula are two abnormal protrusions in the conjunctiva of the eye.
- The pterygium appears as a fleshy tissue on the cornea and can vary in size.
- The pinguecula sprouts as a yellowish bump on the white part of the eye.
Prognosis of the disease
These conditions are not cancerous, i.e., they are benign and the prognosis is good.
Symptoms of pterygium and pinguecula
On many occasions, the pinguecula does not produce symptoms, but sometimes it can become acutely inflamed and produce a clinical picture called “pingueculitis”, which causes red eye and local discomfort.
Pterygium in its initial stages is also usually asymptomatic, but as it develops it usually produces eye discomfort, occasional redness, etc. In addition, as they grow on the cornea, they can modify its curvature, producing visual disturbances, or reach the visual axis, significantly reducing vision.
Pterygium and pinguecula usually sprout due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Medical tests for pterygium and pinguecula
An ophthalmologic examination of the ocular surface is sufficient to identify a pterygium or pinguecula. Rarely, it is necessary to biopsy the lesion and analyze it with a microscope to distinguish it from other potentially malignant conjunctival lesions.
What are the causes of pterygium and pinguecula?
Pterygium and pinguecula usually arise from excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays. It is also more frequent in patients exposed to irritants such as dust, sawdust, etc. Other factors involved are chronic ocular dryness and aging.
Can it be prevented?
Pterygium and pinguecula are more frequent in tropical countries and especially in mountainous areas. Because the most common cause of these bumps are the UV doses received throughout life, sunglasses or even wearing a hat are useful for prevention.
Pterygium and pinguecula treatments
- Pterygium: its treatment can range from the application of eye drops to surgical intervention. Several strategies can be combined according to its severity: A clean surgery, completely removing the pathological tissues. The ocular surface is then reconstructed by transplantation (often from the conjunctiva itself). This is an outpatient surgery, painless under local anesthesia.
- As the pinguecula does not grow on the cornea, no specific treatment is usually required, unless it is only if it is frequently inflamed or for cosmetic reasons, in which case it would be necessary to remove it by surgery.
Which specialist treats it?
Ophthalmology specialists are in charge of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the eyes and the patient’s visual capacity, such as pterygium and pinguecula.
The eyes are the essential organ of vision and are susceptible to many abnormalities throughout life. Ophthalmology is in charge of preserving the patient’s visual capacity, through medical treatment techniques, surgery or with the help of external elements such as glasses or contact lenses.