See Pterygium

Pterygiums can be removed in variety of outpatient procedures.

Simple Pterygium Excision: In this procedure, the diseased portion of the conjunctiva is removed. The adjacent conjunctiva grows over the next several weeks to fill in the area of the conjunctiva that was removed. This procedure is short and simple for the patient to tolerate, but has a high rate of recurrence.

Pterygium Excision with Grafting: As in the simple pterygium excision, the diseased portion of the conjunctiva is removed. Unlike simple pterygium excision, adjacent conjunctiva is used to cover the resulting defect. There are many ways this can be done. Some of the adjacent conjunctiva can be slid and sewn into place. This is called sliding graft. A flap can be created in the adjacent conjunctiva which is then rotated on its base and sewn into place. This is called a rotated graft. A complete patch of conjunctiva can removed and moved onto the defect area to be sewn into place. This is called an autograft. Other types of grafting are available as well. Grafts make pterygium surgery more complex because several stitches must be placed. These stitches disssolve over several weeks. In some patients, a new type biocompatible glue can be used in place of stitches! Grafting usually lengthens recovery but decreases the chance of recurrence.

Pterygium Excision with Limbal-Conjunctival Autografting: This procedure is very effective in reducing the chance of recurrence after pterygium surgery. In this procedure, the pterygium is excised as described in the procedures above. Then a graft is obtained starting in the conjunctiva extending slightly into limbus (where the white and dark part of the eye meet). The limbus contains many important regenerative stem cells. This is rotated into the defect created by the pterygium excision before being attached with either stitches or biocompatible glue. This is a longer and more complex procedure but is quite effective at decreasing the chance of recurrent.

Pterygium Excision with Amniotic Membrane Graft: Amniotic membrane is one of the linings that surrounds the fetus in pregnant mothers. This membrane has many desirable immunologic properties. After delivery, the amniotic membrane is commercially harvested, sterilized, processed, prepared, and packaged. After the pterygium is excised, the resulting defect is covered by a graft of amniotic membrane that is either sewn or glued into place. Amniotic membrane placement is also quite effective at decreasing the chance of recurrence.

Pterygium Excision with Irradiation: In case of recurring pterygiums, another option that can be quite effective is to remove the pterygium and to apply radiation to the underlying sclera bed afterwards. A graft is not placed. The next day, the patient is send to a radiation oncologist and multiple sessions of radiation are applied to the defect area.

When you visit Sugarland Eye & Laser Center, your surgeon will help you decide what procedure is best for you. He will discuss options such as using stitches or biocompatible glue. He will also discuss whether the use of special chemotherapeutic medications such as Mitomycin C might be safe and beneficial.