Surgical removal of pterygium with conjunctival autograft
A pterygium is a fleshy, wing-shaped growth of conjunctival tissue that extends onto the cornea, typically from the nasal side of the eye. It is strongly linked to sun and wind exposure and is more common in people who spend time outdoors. Pterygia can cause redness, irritation, a gritty sensation, cosmetic concerns, and in advanced cases, visual distortion or obstruction.
At Vale Eye Surgeons, pterygium excision is performed by a consultant ophthalmologist with expertise in ocular surface surgery, using modern graft techniques that dramatically reduce the risk of recurrence.
The pterygium is carefully dissected from the cornea and conjunctiva under microscopic guidance. Rather than leaving the surgical site bare (which carries a high recurrence rate), a small piece of healthy conjunctiva is taken from beneath the upper eyelid and secured over the defect using tissue glue or fine sutures. This conjunctival autograft technique reduces recurrence rates to well under 5 per cent.
Your surgeon will examine the pterygium using a slit lamp microscope and corneal imaging, assess how far it extends onto the cornea, and check for any signs of atypical features that might warrant histological analysis.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic as a day case, taking approximately 30 minutes. You will be awake but comfortable throughout. A protective pad is placed over the eye at the end of the operation.
Expect redness, discomfort, and a foreign body sensation for one to two weeks. You will use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops for several weeks. Most patients return to normal activities within a few days, although heavy exertion and swimming should be avoided for a month.
Surgery is typically recommended when a pterygium is causing symptoms such as persistent redness or irritation, affecting vision, growing rapidly, or causing cosmetic concern. Your surgeon will discuss the benefits and risks, including the small possibility of recurrence, and help you decide whether surgery is the right option.