Specialty care of pterygium (surfer’s eye): How we Restore and Support Your Comfort, Clear Vision

At Orange County Eye Institute, we serve Santa Ana and our slice of Southern California with exceptional specialty care to support sustained ocular health. The services performed by our board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. George Salib, also support the clear vision that further sustains a high quality of life and overall well-being. After all, when you see well, you live well™.

Pterygium – The Condition a nd Treatment Options

Our eyes and vision can be affected or damaged in numerous ways and by myriad different conditions. Dr. Salib has the specialized, advanced training and experience to accurately diagnose the source of your concerns and offer a range of effective treatment options based on what he finds.

In sunny SoCal, pterygium (or pterygia in its plural form) may be a concern, as this condition is associated with exposure to UV radiation from sunlight. For this reason, it is sometimes called “surfer’s eye.”

A pterygium is characterized by:

Redness
Swelling
Yellow discoloration
Dry eye
Itching, burning eyes
Eye irritation
The sensation of something gritty “stuck” in the eye
Blurred vision

This growth of fleshy tissue contains blood vessels and comprises three parts – a cap, head, and body or tail. While pterygia can be bothersome, complications that affect your vision may develop without treatment. The pterygium can grow so big that it covers part of the cornea.

What to Do About Pterygia

Since UV light is associated with the development of these growths, prevention is largely the ideal option. Wear sunglasses featuring UVA-UVB lens protection. Other factors related to the development of a pterygium include exposure to wind and dust. So, it is also essential to wear appropriate protective eyewear, such as safety goggles, at work or in environments that may kick up a lot of irritants. Dr. Salib may recommend or even prescribe special lubricants and eye drops to ease symptoms.

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(949) 441-5444

Sometimes, pterygia do not grow. They remain small. If the pterygium, however, is persistently uncomfortable or expands to a size that affects your vision, our eye surgeon will discuss potential treatment options at our institute. These options may include the removal of the growth. Dr. Salib uses special techniques to introduce a thin piece of healthy tissue to the affected area of the eye. Such an approach helps to minimize the odds of recurrence or the pterygium re-growing. The specific technique that is used depends on factors that are unique to your needs and personal characteristics.

For a Lifetime of Healthy Eyesight

Maintaining good ocular “hygiene” is also essential to prevent recurrence. This includes proactively using the aforementioned protective eyewear and maintaining follow-up visits to the office of Orange County Eye Institute. We are proud to support the ocular and overall health and well-being of individuals in Santa Ana and across Southern CA, and we encourage you not to ignore or “sit” on concerning changes to your eyes.

Call our Laguna Hills office at (949) 441-5444 or our Santa Ana office at (949) 770-1322 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Salib. Prompt evaluation and intervention helps to stop conditions like pterygia from advancing and growing, which helps to prevent more serious symptoms and complications.