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Pterygium Surgery Specialist

Marano Eye Care

Ophthalmology & Cataract & Corneal Surgeons located in Denville, NJ, Livingston, NJ & Newark, NJ

If your pterygium causes irritation or visual problems, pterygium surgery can resolve your issues quickly. At Marano Eye Care, expert ophthalmologists Matthew Marano Jr., MD, Sanjai Jalaj, MD, Edward Decker, MD, and the team can remove your troublesome eye growth, restoring your eye health and appearance so you can get on with your life. There are offices in Denville, Livingston, and Newark, New Jersey, so schedule your appointment by calling the nearest location or book online now.

Pterygium Surgery Q & A

What is a pterygium?

A pterygium is a fleshy growth within your conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering your eye. It usually starts inside your inner eye and spreads out in a wing shape. 

A pterygium appears as a pink or reddish growth over part of your sclera (the white part of your eye) and sometimes part of your iris as well. 

When do I need pterygium surgery?

If your pterygium doesn’t cause severe symptoms and isn’t a cosmetic concern, the Marano Eye Care team may recommend conservative nonsurgical treatments like artificial tears or prescription corticosteroid eye drops. 

But, if you have severe pterygium symptoms that don’t ease with conservative care, or if your pterygium interferes with your eyesight and disrupts your life, surgery can be the right choice. 

Also, many people with pterygia opt for surgery because the growth significantly detracts from their appearance. 

How does pterygium surgery work?

There are several types of pterygium surgery, with options including:

Bare sclera method

The bare sclera method, also called a simple excision, involves surgical removal of the pterygium without a tissue graft. 

Conjunctival autograft technique

The conjunctival autograft technique involves surgical excision followed by a graft that replaces the lost tissue. The material for the graft comes from another part of your eye.

Amniotic membrane grafting

The amniotic membrane grafting technique is similar to the conjunctival autograft method but uses an amniotic membrane instead of your own eye tissue as the grafting material. In some cases, the amniotic membrane requires fibrin glue to encourage adherence to your sclera. 

Because pterygia can have a high recurrence rate after surgery, the team may use an adjunctive therapy such as mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil during your surgery to greatly reduce the risk. 

How can I avoid another pterygium surgery?

After your pterygium surgery, follow the Marano Eye Care team’s post-operative instructions closely. Your eye doctor does everything possible to minimize pterygium recurrence, but your actions are also vitally important. 

Avoid sun exposure as much as possible as it’s one of the most common reasons for pterygium recurrence. When you’re outdoors, wear high-quality UV blocking glasses at all times. 

Keep your regular eye exam appointments at Marano Eye Care. These exams are the best way to identify pterygia and other potential problems in their early stages. 

For a pterygium surgery consultation, call the nearest Marano Eye Care or click the online scheduler now.