- Medically Reviewed by: Mr Mfazo Hove, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Author: Mr Mfazo Hove
- Published: June 3, 2025
- Last Updated: July 14, 2026
In short. Blue Fin Vision® provides consultant-led pterygium removal in central London using the gold-standard conjunctival autograft technique, which aims to improve comfort, reduce redness, protect the cornea and improve appearance, with a low recurrence rate. Most treatment is at The Harley Street Eye Centre, our most cost-effective setting, with Weymouth Street Hospital available for a main-theatre setting at additional cost.
Outcomes That Matter
A pterygium can cause redness, irritation, a foreign-body sensation and, as it advances onto the cornea, blurred vision and astigmatism.¹ It is a common condition, with a global prevalence of around 12%,² and is strongly linked to long-term ultraviolet exposure, the most important risk factor.³ Consultant-led removal aims to improve comfort, reduce redness, protect the cornea and improve appearance. Using the conjunctival autograft technique, recurrence is low compared with simple pterygium excision in London and elsewhere,⁴ which is why it is regarded as the gold standard.⁵
Who Should Consider Pterygium Surgery in London?
Consider assessment if… | Monitoring may be enough if… |
|---|---|
Growth is advancing onto the cornea | Small and stable |
Redness or irritation persists despite drops | Mild symptoms controlled with lubricants |
Vision or astigmatism is affected | No visual effect |
Appearance is a major concern | Appearance is not troubling |
Contact lens wear is affected | No functional issue |
What to Expect on the Day
Surgery is a day case under local anaesthetic and usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes. The pterygium is removed and a small graft of your own conjunctiva is secured over the bare area to protect the surface and lower the chance of recurrence, a technique known as pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft.⁶ You go home the same day with the eye protected.
Recovery
The eye is commonly gritty, watery and red for the first few days, easing over one to two weeks, with redness fading over the following weeks. You use lubricating and anti-inflammatory drops as prescribed and attend follow-up so healing and the ocular surface can be checked.
Why Blue Fin Vision® in London
You are cared for by Mr Mfazo Hove, in CQC-registered facilities, with a Doctify rating of 4.96 out of 5 from 557+ verified reviews. Most pterygium removal is carried out at The Harley Street Eye Centre, our most cost-effective setting. Weymouth Street Hospital is available for treatment in a main operating theatre, at additional cost, for patients who need or prefer a hospital-theatre setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in London is treatment carried out?
Most pterygium removal is at The Harley Street Eye Centre, our most cost-effective setting. Weymouth Street Hospital is available for a main-theatre setting at additional cost.
Will removal improve my vision?
If the pterygium has distorted the cornea, removal can reduce astigmatism and improve vision.¹ Where vision is already normal, the aim is comfort and appearance.
Does a pterygium grow back?
The autograft technique gives a low recurrence rate compared with simple excision,⁴ though no surgery removes the risk completely.
How soon can I return to work?
Many people return to desk work within a few days, avoiding dusty or dirty environments and swimming until the surface has healed.
Is it painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic, so the procedure is comfortable. Grittiness and watering for a few days afterwards are normal and settle with drops.
Book a consultant-led pterygium assessment in London and receive a tailored plan, an exact price and clear advice on the autograft technique and recovery.
Related Pages
References
- Shahraki T, Arabi A, Feizi S. Pterygium: an update on pathophysiology, clinical features, and management. Ther Adv Ophthalmol. 2021;13:25158414211020152.
- Rezvan F, Khabazkhoob M, Hooshmand E, Yekta A, Saatchi M, Hashemi H. Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surv Ophthalmol. 2018;63(5):719-735.
- Moran DJ, Hollows FC. Pterygium and ultraviolet radiation: a positive correlation. Br J Ophthalmol. 1984;68(5):343-346.
- Clearfield E, Muthappan V, Wang X, Kuo IC. Conjunctival autograft for pterygium. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2(2):CD011349.
- Kaufman SC, Jacobs DS, Lee WB, Deng SX, Rosenblatt MI, Shtein RM. Options and adjuvants in surgery for pterygium: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2013;120(1):201-208.
- Kheirkhah A, Hashemi H, Adelpour M, Nikdel M, Rajabi MB, Behrouz MJ. Randomized trial of pterygium surgery with mitomycin C application using conjunctival autograft versus conjunctival-limbal autograft. Ophthalmology. 2012;119(2):227-232.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mr Mfazo Hove
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
MBChB MD FRCOphth CertLRS
Mr Mfazo Hove is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with experience spanning more than 57,000 procedures. He completed 6.5 years of specialist training at Moorfields Eye Hospital and served for five years as a consultant at the Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. He is the founder of Blue Fin Vision®, a consultant-led private ophthalmology practice operating across London, Essex, and Hertfordshire. His clinical expertise encompasses advanced cataract surgery, refractive lens replacement, laser vision correction, and implantable Collamer lenses (ICL).
A ZEISS Key Opinion Leader, Mr Hove is a respected international speaker with five invited engagements across seven cities in 2026:
- ZEISS China tour (Changsha, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, April – ZEISS APAC User Meeting)
- RCOphth Annual Congress – May – Manchester
- ZEISS EMEA User Meeting (Istanbul)
- ZEISS Lausanne User Meeting (Lausanne)
- European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Annual Congress (ESCRS, London)
