As a result, pingueculae tend to occur more often on the nasal side of the eye. While most pingueculae are found in people over the age of 40, they are not uncommon in 20- and 30-year-old adults who spend significant time in the sun. The surface of the conjunctival tissue overlying a pinguecula interferes with the normal spreading of the tear film. The tear ferning test reveals abnormalities of the mucous component of the tear film, making it useful as a predictor of a persons tolerance of hydrophilic soft contact lenses. Contact lens intolerance can also result from the elevation of the peripheral edge of the contact lens if it overlies a pinguecula. The plural form of pinguecula is pingueculae. Pinguecula is derived from the Latin word "pinguis" for fat or grease. Associated conditions
A pinguecula is one of the differential diagnoses for a limbal nodule. It may have an increased prevalence in Gauchers disease. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of pinguecula is usually done by an eye care professional during routine eye examination using slit lamp. Conjunctival biopsy may be advised if malignancy is suspected. Treatment
Pingueculae may enlarge slowly over time, but are a benign condition, usually requiring no treatment. Artificial tears may help to relieve discomfort, if it occurs. If cosmesis is a concern, or if there is discomfort in contact lens use, surgical excision may be done. Occasionally, a pinguecula may become inflamed, a condition called pingueculitis. The cause of pingueculitis is unknown and there are no known infectious agents associated with it.
This also ensures that important things such as letters are not completely hidden behind any scotomas (small defects in parts of the functioning visual field),  and reduces the chances of getting lost in the text. However, the simplification of the view should not be done in such a way that it requires too rapid a movement to navigate around a large document, since too much motion can cause other problems (see above). In viewing an array of objects, people with CVI can more easily see them if they only have to look at one or two at a time. People with CVI also see familiar objects more easily than new ones. Placing objects against a plain background also makes them easier for the person with CVI to see. For the same reason (simplified view), the person may also dislike crowded rooms and other situations where their functioning is dependent on making sense of a lot of visual clutter. Visual processing can take a lot of effort. Often the person has to make a conscious choice about how to divide mental effort between making sense of visual data and performing other tasks. For some people, maintaining eye contact is difficult, which can create problems in Western culture (for example, bonding can be difficult for some parents who have an infant with CVI, and lack of contact in an older child can cause others to regard him or her with suspicion).