Pterygium
A Benign Growth
What Is a Pterygium?
A pterygium is a non-cancerous growth on the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). It usually forms on the side closest to your nose and grows toward the pupil area. These growths are believed to be caused by dry eye, exposure to wind and dust, and UV (ultra-violet) exposure.
Not typically a serious condition, it does have the potential to cause irritation, redness, and even distort your vision—if it approaches the pupil center—by altering the surface of your cornea, leading to astigmatism. It can be removed through a simple same-day procedure. Dr. Zhu can examine you to see if surgery is right for you.