CT Corneal Specialist on Pinguecula & Pterygium

Connecticut Cornea Specialist Leslie Doctor, M.D. commented on differences between benign eye growths called Pinguecula and Pterygia. “A Pinguecula is a growth on the conjunctiva-the clear membrane that covers part of the surface of the eye. The growth looks like a thickened area of tissue and is often cream colored. Some people may notice blood vessels on it. This is called a Pinguecula if it does not reach the cornea, the part of the outer layer of your eye that covers the colored part of the eye-the iris. If Pinguecula get bigger and extends onto the cornea we would call it a Pterygium.” These growths may be caused by wind, dust, chemical irritation or even ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. If your eyes are often exposed to harsh conditions these growths are more likely to develop. They are more common in people who live close to the equator.

The most common symptoms may include redness, inflammation, irritation, a dry or gritty feeling, itching, burning and even blurred vision. If these growths do not cause any problems they do not need to be treated. If they cause redness or irritation you may benefit from using eye drops like artificial tears. If you have symptoms that continue to get worse or if your vision becomes blurred you need you to see an ophthalmologist. A Pterygium may grow and cause vision problems. It can block the light entering your vision. Also, a growing Pterygium can change the shape of your cornea and cause blurry and distorted vision. In that case a surgery might be necessary to improve your condition.
If you have any questions or concerns about your eyes or would like to learn more about Pinguecula or Pterygia please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates.

Doctor & Associates is a leading Fairfield County Connecticut eye care practice providing eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and management of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses and optical services. For those patients in need of eye surgery, as a founding member of the Wilton Surgery Center, Doctor & Associates eye surgeons are able to provide eye surgery in a convenient, close to home and cost effective ambulatory surgery center. Whatever your eye care, eye health or vision correction needs might be-Doctor & Associates can serve as a Connecticut ophthalmic consultant and will be conveniently located for patients from Fairfield County and southern Connecticut including Danbury, Stamford, Greenwich, Westport, Weston, Wilton, New Canaan, Norwalk, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Cannondale, Aspetuck, Redding, Trumbull, Shelton, Monroe, Darien, Glenbrook and Ridgefield Connecticut.