grow far enough into the cornea to interfere with vision. Symptoms as mostly Both referred to as eye bumps. asymptomatic, however it may stretch and distort the cornea which may cause Pinguecula (pronounced pin- astigmatism and reduce visual acuity is the most commonly GWEK-yoo-la) encountered bump. It is a growth appearing most commonly on the white of the eye (sclera) and almost always on the side closet As with the Pinguecula, the Pterygium is to the nose. Most common among adults believed to be caused by exposure to however may infrequently occur in children. rays and dry eye. Frequent occurances are in those that live in sunny windy A Pinguecula is a slow growth caused by the climates. degeneration of the conjunctiva’s collagen fibers. Thicker yellow fibers or in some Other symptoms for both conditions may cases calcified deposits eventually replace include: the original transparent in the conjunctiva. Blurred vision Causes of the disorder are unknown but Itching more frequently occur in people who live in Burning sunny windy climates whose jobs expose Gritty Feeling them to ultra-violet light (UV Rays) such as Feeling of having foreign material in farmers or welders. eye Generally no symptoms occur except for foreign body sensation in the eye. Dry eye can exacerbate irritation or inflammation. Treatment with severe inflammation is to Treatment options include artificial tears to include rewetting artificial tears, sometimes relieve sensation of foreign body. Surgery is advisable when the cornea causes visual steroidal drops and protective eyewear defects from thickening is causing recurrent (sunglasses) that help promote the blockage discomfort and or inflammation. of UV Rays. It is important to realize that the recovery period from this type of surgery may take is the weeks and there is a high rate of Pterygium (pronounced tur-IJ-ee-um) reoccurrence, as high as 50 to 60 % in some less encountered bump which is usually a regions. Surgery is generally not triangular or wing shaped growth on the recommended unless the discomfort is white of the eye (sclera). It extends into the significant and or vision is affected. cornea and usually contains blood vessels. This condition is of greater concern. It may
Both referred to as eye bumps. Pinguecula (pronounced pin- GWEK-yoo-la) is the most commonly encountered bump. It is a growth appearing most commonly on the white of the eye (sclera) and almost always on the side closet to the nose. Most common among adults however may infrequently occur in children. A Pinguecula is a slow growth caused by the degeneration of the conjunctiva’s collagen fibers. Thicker yellow fibers or in some cases calcified deposits eventually replace the original transparent in the conjunctiva. Causes of the disorder are unknown but more frequently occur in people who live in sunny windy climates whose jobs expose them to ultra-violet light (UV Rays) such as farmers or welders. Generally no symptoms occur except for foreign body sensation in the eye. Dry eye can exacerbate irritation or inflammation. Treatment with severe inflammation is to include rewetting artificial tears, sometimes steroidal drops and protective eyewear (sunglasses) that help promote the blockage of UV Rays. Pterygium (pronounced tur-IJ-ee-um) is the less encountered bump which is usually a triangular or wing shaped growth on the white of the eye (sclera). It extends into the cornea and usually contains blood vessels. This condition is of greater concern. It may grow far enough into the cornea to interfere with vision. Symptoms as mostly asymptomatic, however it may stretch and distort the cornea which may cause astigmatism and reduce visual acuity As with the Pinguecula, the Pterygium is believed to be caused by exposure to rays and dry eye. Frequent occurances are in those that live in sunny windy climates. Other symptoms for both conditions may include: Blurred vision Itching Burning Gritty Feeling Feeling of having foreign material in eye Treatment options include artificial tears to relieve sensation of foreign body. Surgery is advisable when the cornea causes visual defects from thickening is causing recurrent discomfort and or inflammation. It is important to realize that the recovery period from this type of surgery may take weeks and there is a high rate of reoccurrence, as high as 50 to 60 % in some regions. Surgery is generally not recommended unless the discomfort is significant and or vision is affected.
pinguecula_pterygium_Garza.docx