Many of you must have heard of Pterygium excision surgery, but only a few know what it is all about. It is nothing but a surgery performed to remove Pterygia (noncancerous conjunctiva growth) from the eye.
As far as ‘conjunctiva’ is concerned, it is the clear tissue covering the inside of the eyelids and the white part of the eye. When there is a severe overgrowth of this tissue, it can lead to covering the cornea and may also interfere with the patient’s vision. As the Pterygium grow, they might become red and irritated and eventually end up causing vision disturbances. The tissue overgrowth is usually caused by UV radiation. As of now, Pterygium excision surgery is the only curative treatment for Pterygium.
What to expect from Pterygium excision surgery?
The Pterygium excision surgery takes a very few minutes and is performed with the help of anesthetic eye drops. After the anesthetic eye drops numb the eye completely, the mass and underlying scar tissue from your conjunctiva are painlessly and carefully removed. After that, the surgeons try to fill the resulting gap with the help of an amniotic membrane graft.
What to expect after surgery?
To minimize the chances of recurrence, you would need to apply steroid eye drops prescribed by your doctor. The eye drops should be applied to the eye’s surface daily for two months straight. After the surgery, the chances of infection usually increase. You will be provided with prescribed antibiotic eye drops to prevent the infection which you have to apply for one week. It usually takes six to eight months for a patient to heal fully. The smaller the Pterygia will be, the faster will be the healing.
Risks involved with Pterygium excision surgery:
In most cases, Pterygium excision surgery most likely brings out good outcomes. Prolonged redness, eye swelling, infection, and double vision are some of the rare risks associated with Pterygium excision surgery.
What should be avoided in Pterygium excision surgery?
After the surgery, it is advised not to drive or operate machinery. Make sure not to rub the treated eye at any cost. It would be better if you refrain from activities that may directly or indirectly put your eye at risk of injury. Restrict yourself going to the areas that contain a high volume of dust, debris, and chemicals.
Do not use any kind of moisturizer or eye makeup around the eye area for at least one week after the surgery. Avoid swimming and any cardiovascular activity for two weeks after the surgery.
Conclusion:
Besides cataract surgery, Pterygium excision is considered one of the most common surgical procedures for a general ophthalmologist. The Pterygium excision surgery helps in the removal of Pterygium, thus improves the appearance of your eye. In certain cases, it also improves your vision. For those who have both Pterygium and a Cataract, it is advised to get rid of Pterygium first. It is one of the best ways to ensure optimal results for the cataract operation.