Freedom from glasses starts here.
Freedom from glasses starts here.
Freedom from glasses starts here.
A pterygium is a growth of conjunctival tissue that extends onto the cornea. You’ll often hear it called “surfer’s eye” because it’s strongly linked with UV exposure and outdoor environments. For some people it’s mainly a cosmetic or comfort issue (redness, irritation, a gritty feeling). For others, it can start to change the shape of the cornea and affect vision by increasing astigmatism. If you’ve been managing symptoms for a while and it keeps flaring up, or your vision is starting to shift, pterygium surgery may be worth considering.
At City Eye Surgeons, pterygium assessments are planned around what matters most: how the eye surface looks and feels, whether the growth is progressing, and whether it’s affecting vision or the cornea’s shape.
A pinguecula is a small, raised yellowish bump that sits on the white of the eye and does not grow onto the cornea. A pterygium extends onto the cornea and can potentially affect vision. If you’ve been told you have a “growth” but you’re not sure which one, an eye exam can clarify it quickly as symptoms are very similar.
As a pterygium grows, it can pull on and distort the cornea. That distortion can create or worsen astigmatism, which may show up as blur, ghosting, or a more frequent need to update glasses. In advanced cases, if it encroaches toward the visual axis, it can interfere with vision.
Common symptoms include redness, irritation, dryness, burning, tearing, and a foreign body sensation (that “something’s in my eye” feeling). Some people also notice intermittent blur, especially during flare-ups.
Pterygium surgery is designed to remove the growth and support healthier healing of the ocular surface, with techniques aimed at reducing the chance of recurrence.
The procedure involves removing the pterygium tissue from the cornea and surrounding area. In most modern approaches, the exposed area is then covered using a conjunctival autograft (tissue taken from your own eye). The graft is secured with tissue glue, which allows for a much more comfortable recovery compared to using sutures.
Pterygium surgery is commonly performed with local anaesthetic to keep the eye comfortable. Sedation is also used to ensure that you are relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. Your surgeon will explain what your procedure plan involves so you know what to expect on the day.
The surgery itself is usually relatively quick, but the total time at the hospital is longer to allow for preparation, safety checks, and discharge instructions.
The eye surface settles gradually, and it’s normal for the appearance to improve in stages rather than overnight.
The goal is a healthier, more comfortable ocular surface, with protection of vision and corneal shape where the pterygium has been affecting it.
If the pterygium was distorting the cornea, removing it can allow the cornea to stabilise and may improve vision quality. However, the timing of any glasses update matters—your prescription may continue to shift as healing progresses, so refraction is often best done once the cornea has settled. If your vision correction goals are broader, we can also discuss how pterygium management fits into a longer-term plan that may include refractive procedures, depending on your eye health and goals.
Cosmetic outcomes aim for a natural-looking result, but healing time is part of the result. Even when surgery goes perfectly, the eye can remain red for a while. The final appearance is typically assessed over weeks to months, not days.
Recurrence is possible. Modern graft techniques and careful surgery reduce the risk, and your role in UV protection and aftercare matters too. If you’re outdoors often, ongoing UV protection is one of the best long-term habits you can keep.
Pterygium management is as much about planning and follow-up as it is about the day of surgery.
Most people find the procedure itself comfortable because local anaesthetic is used. The eye can feel scratchy, watery, and light-sensitive in the early healing phase, but this typically improves as the surface settles.
The surface heals over the first couple of weeks, but redness can take longer to fully settle. Many people notice the eye looks progressively better over several weeks.
This depends on your work environment. Desk work is often easier to return to sooner than dusty outdoor or physical work. Your surgeon will guide you based on healing and comfort.
Conservative treatment can manage symptoms, but it does not remove the pterygium. Surgery is the treatment that physically removes the growth when it is progressing or causing significant symptoms or vision impact.
Consistent UV protection is one of the best long-term strategies. Wraparound sunglasses and hats are particularly helpful, especially if you spend time outdoors. Managing dryness with lubricating eye drops also supports a healthier ocular surface after surgery.
Rediscover clearer vision
Location: G11-12/566 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
Phone: (03) 9070 0955
Fax: (03) 9978 9426
E-mail: info@cityeyesurgeons.com.au
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