San Antonio eye care
Pterygium removal in San Antonio, TX
A pterygium is a fleshy, wedge-shaped growth that extends from the white of the eye onto the cornea. It is strongly linked to sun exposure.
What is pterygium?
Sometimes called surfer's eye, a pterygium grows from the conjunctiva (the clear skin over the white of the eye), usually on the side nearest the nose. Years of ultraviolet light, wind and dust are the main causes, so it is common in sunny, outdoor South Texas.
Small pterygia mainly cause redness and irritation. As they grow onto the cornea they can cause astigmatism and blur vision, and they can interfere with accurate measurements before cataract surgery.
Pterygium care in San Antonio
Patients come to our San Antonio – Medical Center office at 10935 Wurzbach Rd, Suite 202 for pterygium care from Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Shavano Park, Leon Valley, Helotes, Universal City and across San Antonio. With three San Antonio offices (Medical Center, North Central and South), there is usually one close to home or work. Dr. Kavanagh operates at three San Antonio surgery centers, plus GRMC Outpatient in Seguin.
Symptoms
- A visible pink, fleshy growth on the white of the eye
- Redness and irritation
- Feeling something is in your eye
- Blurry vision if it grows onto the cornea
Risk factors
- Years of sun exposure: ranching, farming, fishing, construction, lake and river time
- Wind, dust and dry climates
- Not wearing UV-blocking sunglasses
How we evaluate it
A slit-lamp exam shows the size of the pterygium and how far it reaches onto the cornea. Corneal mapping shows whether it is causing astigmatism.
Treatment options
Dr. Kavanagh and our team see patients for pterygium at our San Antonio office and across South Texas. Every plan is tailored to your eyes after an exam.
For educational purposes. This page explains common conditions and treatments to help you prepare for your visit. Your exam determines the right plan for your eyes.
Questions
Common questions
Will a pterygium come back after surgery?
Using a tissue graft makes recurrence much less likely than simple removal. Protecting your eyes from the sun afterward helps too.
Should it be removed before cataract surgery?
If it affects the cornea's shape, removing it first can lead to more accurate lens calculations.
Related conditions
