- Medically Reviewed by: Mr Mfazo Hove, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Author: Mr Mfazo Hove
- Published: February 10, 2025
- Last Updated: July 14, 2026
In short. A pterygium (often called surfer’s eye) is a benign, wing-shaped growth of the conjunctiva that can extend onto the cornea, driven mainly by long-term ultraviolet exposure. It can cause irritation, redness and, as it advances, blurred vision. Surgery is the only effective treatment, and the conjunctival autograft technique gives the lowest recurrence.
What is Pterygium?
A pterygium is a fleshy, wing-shaped growth of subepithelial fibrovascular tissue that starts on the conjunctiva and can cross the limbus onto the cornea.¹ It is common, with a global prevalence of around 12%,² and is strongly linked to sunlight: ultraviolet radiation is the most important risk factor,³ hence the nickname surfer’s eye.
Pterygium or Pinguecula?
The two are easily confused. A pinguecula is a yellowish deposit that usually stays off the cornea and does not affect vision, while a pterygium can grow onto the cornea and affect sight.
Feature | Pterygium | Pinguecula |
|---|---|---|
Appearance | Fleshy, wing-shaped, often pink and vascular | Yellowish, slightly raised deposit |
Location | Conjunctiva, can grow onto the cornea | Conjunctiva, usually stays off the cornea |
Effect on vision | Can distort the cornea and blur vision | Does not usually affect vision |
Main driver | Long-term ultraviolet exposure | Long-term ultraviolet exposure |
When treated | Comfort, appearance, or to protect vision | Comfort or appearance |
When to seek prompt specialist review. Any rapidly changing, unusual, bleeding, pigmented, painful or atypical growth on the eye should be assessed by an eye specialist rather than assumed to be a pterygium.
Pterygium Causes
A pterygium is strongly linked to long-term ultraviolet exposure, which is the most important risk factor.³ This is why the condition is more common in people who spend long periods outdoors, and why it earned the nickname surfer’s eye. Other contributing factors include chronic dryness, dust and wind exposure.
Pterygium Symptoms
- Redness and irritation, or a gritty, foreign-body sensation.
- A visible fleshy growth, usually on the nasal side of the eye.
- Blurred vision or astigmatism if it advances onto the cornea.¹
Pterygium Treatment: When to Consider Surgery
Many pterygia are mild and can be monitored, with lubricants and ultraviolet protection.³ Surgery is considered when the pterygium is growing towards the visual axis, is causing significant irritation or redness, is affecting vision through astigmatism, or is cosmetically bothersome.⁴ Surgery is the only effective treatment; drops relieve symptoms but do not remove the growth.¹
The Autograft Advantage
The technique used matters, because a pterygium can recur.⁵ A conjunctival autograft, where the eye’s own healthy tissue covers the area after removal, gives a much lower recurrence rate than simple bare-sclera excision,⁵ and is regarded as the gold standard.⁶
Recovery Timeline
When | What to expect |
|---|---|
First week | Gritty, watery, red eye; use of prescribed drops; rest from dusty settings and swimming |
Weeks 2 to 6 | Comfort improves; redness gradually fades; follow-up to check the ocular surface |
Longer term | Appearance and comfort settle; continued ultraviolet protection helps reduce recurrence |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a pterygium grow back?
It can, but the conjunctival autograft technique gives a low recurrence rate compared with simple excision.⁵
Surgery or monitoring: which is right for me?
Mild pterygia can be monitored with lubricants and sun protection.³ Surgery is considered when it threatens the cornea, affects vision or causes significant symptoms.⁴
Does a pterygium affect vision?
It can, if it advances onto the cornea and induces astigmatism.¹ Removal can improve vision in those cases.
How do I reduce my risk?
Ultraviolet protection matters most: wraparound sunglasses and a hat, since sunlight is the main driver.³
Book a consultant-led pterygium assessment to confirm the diagnosis, discuss whether surgery is right for you and receive a tailored plan.
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.
- 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.
- Clearfield E, Muthappan V, Wang X, Kuo IC. Conjunctival autograft for pterygium. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;2(2):CD011349.
- 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)
