pterygium surgery

[skarrlette]

Attn Dr. Feldman

I have pterygium in my eyes,  both have been mild so far but now I have a inflammation in one and it looks as if there is a white head in the middle and red inflammation, the eye is also burning this has been going on for a week now.

Will the inflammation go away on its own?  If not then what can i do?  

Also I am hearing that the recurrence rate of pterygium has more to do with the skill of the doctor in the initial removal as to whether there will be a recurrence,  which scares me since eye surgery is pretty serious its not something you want in the wrong hands.  Can you advise?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear skarrlette,

Pterygium can recur but with current surgical methods the recurrence rates are low.  Inflammation should be treated by an eyeMD.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The inflammation will not just go away on its own but might improve over time if you do the right things.  ALways wear sunglasses when outside, avoid lots of sun and or wind and use lots of lubricating artificial tears.  A redness drop like naphcon a can give some temporary relief but will not change any actual sun damage that you already have.  If you are interested in surgery, find a board certified ophthalmologist that is a corneal specialist.  Modern pterygium with an conjunctival autograft and fibrin glue is a very nice surgery with a low recurrence rate.

MJK MD