You may notice a small growth on the white part of your eye. It could appear raised or slightly red. Over time, it may become more prominent or start to affect how your eye feels.
A pterygium can develop gradually, often linked to sun exposure and environmental factors. At Dr Dony Mathew | Cape Town Eye Centre, your eyes are examined so you understand what it is and whether it requires attention from an ophthalmologist in Bellville.
What is a pterygium?
A pterygium is a growth of tissue that forms on the surface of the eye. It typically begins on the white part and can extend towards the clear front layer.
In many cases, it remains small. In others, it can grow slowly and start to affect your vision or comfort.
What might you start to notice?
Some people become aware of how it looks. Others notice how it feels.
You may experience:
A visible growth on the eye
Redness that does not settle easily
A feeling of dryness or irritation
Blurred vision if it extends further across the eye
If it starts to affect your comfort or your sight, it is worth having it checked by our eye specialist in Bellville.
Why does it develop?
Pterygium is often associated with long-term environmental exposure, particularly to sunlight. It is more prevalent in individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors.
Over time, the eye's surface can become irritated, potentially causing tissue changes.
If your eyes often feel dry or irritated, it may be linked to underlying dryness affecting the surface of the eye.
How is it assessed?
Your appointment focuses on understanding the size of the growth and how it is affecting your eye.
This includes:
Examining the surface of your eye
Assessing how far the growth has extended
Checking whether your vision is affected
If there is any concern about how the growth is affecting your vision, this can be looked at more closely during a full check of your eye health.
When does it need treatment?
Not every pterygium requires treatment. The decision depends on how it affects your eyes. Treatment may be considered if it begins to impact your vision or causes increasing discomfort.
What should you do next?
If you notice a change on the surface of your eye or if it feels consistently irritated, it is worth having it checked. A clear assessment can help you understand what is happening and what steps to take next with our ophthalmologist in Bellville, Cape Town.