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Patient Services CATARACT SURGERY | OPHTHALMIC PLASTIC SURGERY | PTERYGIUM SURGERYINTRODUCTION Pterygium surgery is designed to remove a benign growth called a pterygium from the eye. A pterygium is a “wing-shaped” growth that covers the surface of the eye. It is believed that pterygia are a result of prolonged sun exposure. This problem frequently affects people who were raised in a hot, sunny climate. If you have a pterygium, your eyes may feel irritated, appear red, and water. It may also feel as if there is something in the eye. Small pterygia can be treated with eye drops. A large, irritated pterygium may require surgical removal. PTERYGIUM SURGERY There are a variety of surgical treatments devised to treat a bothersome pterygium. The simplest approach is to merely remove the pterygium. Unfortunately, according to the scientific literature, 30% of pterygia will recur after this “simple” type of excision. To lessen the chance of recurrence, Dr. Gross applies a tissue graft to the area that is exposed after pterygium excision. This reduces the recurrence rate by 67%. Dr. Gross performs all pterygium surgery in the operating room. Typically it can be performed under a local anesthetic with intravenous sedation. An overnight stay in the hospital is not required.
@ 2016 Atlantic Coast Ophthalmology, P.C.
330 Lynnway, Suite 335 Lynn, MA 01901 781.593.3939 Office hours: 8:30AM-12PM, 1PM-5PM • Monday thorugh Friday |