Pinguecula and pterygium are noncancerous (benign), fleshy growths on the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white of the eye) that can be caused by chronic exposure to sunlight.
Topic Resources
An Inside Look at the Eye
Pinguecula
A pinguecula is a raised, yellowish white growth that develops next to but not onto the cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil). It is noncancerous (benign) and does not affect vision.
This growth usually does not cause symptoms but can be unsightly. A pinguecula typically does not cause any significant problems and does not need to be removed.
If it is removed, it typically does not grow back.
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Pterygium
A pterygium is a fleshy growth of the conjunctiva that develops next to and spreads onto the cornea. This growth is benign.
Most pterygia do not cause symptoms, but sometimes they cause a feeling that something is in the eye or distort the shape of the cornea, possibly causing a decrease in vision (either due to obstruction or induced astigmatism). They can also be a cosmetic concern.
To relieve symptoms caused by a pterygium, doctors may prescribe artificial tears or a short period of treatment with corticosteroid eye drops or ointments.
Growth of a pterygium can be slowed by wearing a hat to protect the eyes from ultraviolet (UV) sunlight and by wearing glasses or sunglasses that have a protective UV block coating.
If the symptoms do not lessen, particularly if vision is affected, or the pterygium grows or returns, it may be removed surgically. After the pterygium is removed, a procedure called a conjunctival autograft is sometimes done. For this procedure, a piece of healthy conjunctiva from the person's own eye is secured over the area where the pterygium was removed to replace the removed tissue.
Paul Whitten/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
