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  • Sponsored Q&A

    What is a pterygium? Is it dangerous?

    How serious is pterygium?

  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • Dr Dana Robaei

    Sponsor

    Dr Robaei completed her undergraduate medical degree with Honours at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Her ophthalmology specialist training was completed at Sydney … View Profile

    A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth of conjunctiva onto the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye. It is due to extensive sun exposure, and is commonly seen in people who work outdoors or play a lot of outdoor sports.

    A pterygium can grow over the pupil and cause blurred vision. It can also cause intermittent redness and irritation of the eye. Less commonly, a cancerous growth can develop within a pterygium. These cancerous growths need early surgical removal for the best chance of cure.

    Read more about pterygium surgery at Forest Eye Surgery.

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