A pterygium is a fleshy, triangular or wing-shaped growth on the surface of the eye. It is a slow-growing, benign lesion that is usually harmless. However, if a pterygium grows onto the cornea, especially over the central part, this can lead to reduced vision.
The signs and symptoms of a pterygium include:
If the above signs and symptoms are present, please consult an eye specialist.
Pterygium is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, exacerbated by dry, windy, or dusty environments.
In tropical regions like Malaysia, high UV index levels significantly increase the risk of conjunctival tissue hyperplasia (overgrowth). Outdoor workers, athletes, and individuals frequently exposed to sunlight without UV-blocking eyewear face the highest risk.
Early-stage pterygia are managed with lubricating artificial tears to relieve irritation. However, eye drops cannot shrink or cure a pterygium. Surgical removal is necessary when vision is affected or severe discomfort persists.
During surgery, the fleshy tissue is removed, and a healthy piece of the patient’s own conjunctiva is transplanted over the affected site.
A pterygium (often called “surfer’s eye”) is a benign, fleshy, triangular or wing-shaped growth of tissue on the clear surface of the eye (conjunctiva). Common symptoms include eye redness, chronic irritation, dryness, a foreign body sensation, excessive tearing, and a visible reddish-white growth with prominent blood vessels. If left untreated, a pterygium can extend onto the central cornea and cause distorted vision or astigmatism.
The primary cause of pterygium growth is long-term, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Frequent exposure to dry, hot, dusty, or windy environments can also contribute significantly to its development. Outdoor workers, athletes, and individuals living in tropical climates like Malaysia are particularly susceptible to developing a pterygium.
No, there are no medicated eye drops, ointments, or oral medications that can cure or shrink a pterygium once it has formed. However, for mild cases that are not affecting vision or appearance, ophthalmologists at OasisEye Specialists may prescribe artificial tears or anti-inflammatory lubricant drops to ease temporary symptoms like redness, dryness, and irritation.
Surgical removal is recommended when the pterygium begins to grow onto the central cornea (threatening or impairing vision), causes persistent irritation and dry eyes unresponsive to eye drops, induces irregular astigmatism, or becomes cosmetically bothersome to the patient. An eye specialist will evaluate the progression of the growth during a clinical assessment to determine if surgery is required.
Pterygium surgery is a quick, painless outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. The eye specialist carefully removes the fleshy lesion and places a conjunctival autograft (a small patch of healthy surface tissue taken from under the patient’s upper eyelid) over the bare area. This autograft tissue is secured using either ultrafine sutures or specialized fibrin tissue glue, which drastically reduces post-operative discomfort and prevents recurrence.
While older surgical techniques had high recurrence rates, modern surgical methods using a conjunctival autograft (transplanting your own healthy tissue) lower the risk of recurrence. To further prevent regrowth after surgery, patients should strictly follow post-operative eye drop regimens and consistently wear UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors.
Recovery after pterygium surgery typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. Immediately after the procedure, an eye patch or protective shield is applied for the first day. You may experience mild scratchiness, redness, or light sensitivity for a few days. Most patients return to work and light daily activities within 3 to 7 days, though swimming, heavy lifting, and dusty environments should be avoided for at least 3 to 4 weeks.
The most effective way to prevent a pterygium—or stop an existing one from growing further—is to protect your eyes from harsh environmental factors. Always wear broad-spectrum sunglasses with 100% UV protection (UV400) and a wide-brimmed hat when spending time outdoors. If you work in dry, dusty, or windy conditions, wear protective eyewear and use lubricating artificial tears to keep your eye surface moist.
At OasisEye Specialists, Pterygium removal surgery pricing ranges from RM4,000 to RM6,000 per eye under local anaesthesia. International patients will be subjected to an additional 6% SST,
