Pterygium: What It Is, How It Affects Your Eyes, and What You Can Do

When your eye starts to develop a fleshy, triangular growth on the white part, it’s often a pterygium, a noncancerous growth of the conjunctiva that extends onto the cornea. Also known as surfer’s eye, it’s not a tumor—but it can blur your vision, irritate your eye, and make you look like you’ve been in the sun too long. This isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Left unchecked, a pterygium can grow far enough to cover the pupil and interfere with sight.

Pterygium doesn’t show up overnight. It’s tied to long-term exposure to UV radiation, ultraviolet light from the sun that damages the surface of the eye, especially in dry, windy, or sandy environments. People who work outdoors—farmers, fishermen, construction workers—get it more often. It’s also common in places near the equator or where sunlight reflects off water or snow. conjunctival degeneration, the underlying tissue change that leads to pterygium formation happens slowly, which is why it’s often noticed in people over 30.

Many people ignore early signs: redness, a gritty feeling, or a visible bump. But if you’ve been told you have a pterygium, regular ocular health, the overall condition and function of your eyes, especially the surface and tear film checkups matter. You don’t need surgery right away. In mild cases, lubricating drops or anti-inflammatory eye drops can ease irritation. Sunglasses with UV protection are the best prevention tool. If it grows toward your pupil or starts affecting vision, removal becomes an option—but even after surgery, it can come back if you keep exposing your eyes to harsh conditions.

What you’ll find in these posts isn’t just theory. You’ll see real advice on managing symptoms, understanding when to see an eye specialist, and how medications like corticosteroid eye drops (like FML Forte) might be used under supervision. You’ll also learn how conditions like dry eye and chronic inflammation tie into the same environmental triggers. This isn’t about rare cases—it’s about common eye changes that millions ignore until it’s too late. The good news? Most cases are preventable. The key is knowing what to look for—and what to protect your eyes from.