Pterygium

- Op. Dr. Osman Şenbilgin
- Last updated:
- 4 min read
- Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek
What is Pterygium?
Pterygium is a common problem related to eye health. So, what is pterygium and how does it occur? Pterygium is a tissue that extends from the conjunctiva to the cornea, the transparent layer of the eye. Conjunctiva is a thin membrane layer consisting of vessels covering the surface of our eye like our skin. It is formed by thickening of a thin membrane called conjunctiva that covers the surface of our eye. Just as our skin thickens and calluses form when shoes hit our feet, pterygium is the thickening of the skin layer of our eyes due to external factors. Pterygium usually starts with a hillock on the surface of the eye formed by a yellowish-white, sun-related (UV) change in the conjunctival tissue called pinguecula. It is usually seen in the 3 and 9 o'clock quadrants of the eye.

What are the Symptoms of Pterygium?
- Redness of the eye
- Stinging or burning sensation in the eye
- Dry eye
- Blurred vision (in advanced cases)
- Aesthetically unpleasant appearance
What are the Causes of Pterygium?
Pterygium occurs as a result of contact of the eye surface with external factors. Exposure to sunlight, i.e. ultraviolet light, is the most important cause, as well as stimulating factors such as constant dustiness of the working environment or the presence of chemical substances, wind. Pterygium is a more common disease, especially in people living in hot climatic regions.

Is Pterygium Contagious? Can it be passed to other people?
Pterygium is a degenerative disease and is not infectious. Therefore, it does not show a contagious course.
How Does Pterygium Progress?
Pterygium causes symptoms that vary according to the degree of progression on the corneal surface. Among these, stinging, burning, watering, redness are the most common findings. In more advanced patients, the corneal surface may cause astigmatic changes and loss of vision as the corneal surface is covered with pterygium.
What will you feel during pterygium operation?
- The operation is performed with local anaesthesia without putting the patient to sleep.
- You may feel light touches after the numbing medicine is administered to your eye.
- The operation takes about 20-30 minutes, during which you should lie still and flat.
What awaits you after pterygium operation?
- Although it is a low probability, pterygium may recur.
- You can return to daily life in about a week. Redness, stinging and burning may continue in the early period, and full recovery can take up to a month.
- You will need to use drops temporarily.
How to prevent pterygium formation?
Sun protection starts in childhood. The use of hats and sunglasses provide effective protection against UV rays. It is necessary not to stay in dusty, windy environments for long periods. Smoking should be avoided, and people should not be in smoking areas. Especially operated patients should pay attention to these prevention methods.
When and How to Operate Pterygium
Pterygium surgery is performed if it causes significant discomfort in the eye (such as redness, stinging, watering), if it causes visual impairment, if it creates a risk that may endanger vision by progressing towards the pupil, if it creates a defect that disturbs the patient in terms of aesthetics and in other cases of medical necessity. Pterygium tissue is removed by cutting over the cornea and the remaining part of the membrane called conjunctiva is closed with sutures. In order to prevent recurrence, the conjunctiva can be folded under itself, the direction of the conjunctiva can be changed, a piece of conjunctiva can be taken from another part of the conjunctiva and sewn to that area, various drugs (antimetabolites) can be used, amniotic membrane transplantation can be performed.
Complications that may occur if the treatment is not accepted
If left untreated, pterygium tissue can progress and cover the cornea, leading to severe loss of vision. When treated at this advanced stage, there is a possibility of a white spot.
Risks and Possible Side Effects
Pterygium surgery is a short, low-risk procedure. Most possible side effects are temporary:
- Redness, grittiness and watering: common in the first weeks and settle with drops.
- Temporarily blurred vision: may occur in the first days and clears as the eye heals.
- Regrowth (recurrence): modern surgical techniques reduce this considerably; sun protection and check-ups matter, and it can be treated again if needed.
- Infection: very rare; it is prevented with the drops prescribed after surgery and simple hygiene measures.
What is the price of pterygium surgery?
The price of pterygium surgery varies depending on the underlying cause and the operation to be performed. The treatment plan to be created by our specialist ophthalmologist depending on the detailed examination results may vary from person to person.
Why choose Kudret Eye İstanbul for your procedure?
Over 24 years in eye care: three eye hospitals and a general hospital, a team of specialist surgeons and technology renewed every year.
Over 24 years of experience
Hundreds of thousands of successful operations and a name trusted across generations.
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Every treatment is performed by a surgeon who specialises in it.
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Follow-up checks and, if ever needed, enhancement are our responsibility.
About Treatment
Operation Duration
20-30 Minutes
Recovery Time
Back to daily life in about a week, full recovery in up to a month
Anaesthesia Type
Local Anesthesia
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pterygium cause vision loss?
Can pterygium reoccur?
What can be done to prevent pterygium?
Patient Reviews
References
- 1.What Is a Pinguecula and a Pterygium (Surfer's Eye)? · AAO, 2026
- 2.Pterygium · EyeWiki (AAO), 2026
- 3.The Sun, UV Light and Your Eyes · AAO, 2026