Surfer's Eye: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Can Do About It

When your eye starts to feel gritty, red, or shows a clear wedge of tissue growing from the white part toward the iris, you might be dealing with pterygium, a noncancerous growth on the eye’s surface often called surfer’s eye. Also known as surfer's eye, it’s not just a problem for surfers—it affects anyone who spends long hours outdoors in bright, windy, or dusty environments. This isn’t a cosmetic issue. Left untreated, it can grow over the cornea and blur your vision—even if you don’t feel pain.

The main culprit? UV radiation, ultraviolet light from the sun that damages the conjunctiva over time. People who live near the equator, work outside, or spend time on water without sunglasses are at highest risk. Wind and dryness make it worse by drying out the eye’s surface and speeding up tissue changes. It’s not genetic, not contagious, and not caused by screen time—it’s environmental. And yes, it can come back even after removal if you don’t protect your eyes afterward.

Many people ignore early signs, thinking it’s just dry eyes or allergies. But a growing bump on the eye is different. It often starts as a small, painless bump near the nose, then slowly spreads. You might notice redness, irritation, or feel like something’s stuck in your eye. In advanced cases, it can distort your cornea and cause astigmatism. The good news? Most cases don’t need surgery. Simple steps like wearing UV-blocking sunglasses, using lubricating drops, and avoiding dusty conditions can stop it from getting worse. If it starts affecting your vision or becomes very uncomfortable, removal is safe and common—but only if you commit to better eye protection afterward.

You’ll find real patient stories here, plus clear advice on choosing the right sunglasses, understanding when to see an eye doctor, and what treatments actually help. We cover everything from how eye exams, routine check-ups that catch early signs of pterygium and other eye conditions can prevent long-term damage, to how AREDS2 vitamins, a specific nutrient blend shown to slow age-related eye degeneration might support overall eye health—even if they don’t directly shrink pterygium. We also explain why some people confuse this with pinguecula, another sun-related eye change, and how doctors tell them apart.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. If you’ve ever squinted under the sun without protection, you’re already at risk. The good news? You can stop it before it starts—or keep it from getting worse. Below, you’ll find detailed guides on eye health, medication safety, and how to protect your vision long-term. No fluff. Just what works, based on real medical evidence and patient outcomes.