Pterygium

Jump to navigation Jump to search


Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox


WikiDoc Resources for Pterygium

Articles

Most recent articles on Pterygium

Most cited articles on Pterygium

Review articles on Pterygium

Articles on Pterygium in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Pterygium

Images of Pterygium

Photos of Pterygium

Podcasts & MP3s on Pterygium

Videos on Pterygium

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Pterygium

Bandolier on Pterygium

TRIP on Pterygium

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Pterygium at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Pterygium

Clinical Trials on Pterygium at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Pterygium

NICE Guidance on Pterygium

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Pterygium

CDC on Pterygium

Books

Books on Pterygium

News

Pterygium in the news

Be alerted to news on Pterygium

News trends on Pterygium

Commentary

Blogs on Pterygium

Definitions

Definitions of Pterygium

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Pterygium

Discussion groups on Pterygium

Patient Handouts on Pterygium

Directions to Hospitals Treating Pterygium

Risk calculators and risk factors for Pterygium

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Pterygium

Causes & Risk Factors for Pterygium

Diagnostic studies for Pterygium

Treatment of Pterygium

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Pterygium

International

Pterygium en Espanol

Pterygium en Francais

Business

Pterygium in the Marketplace

Patents on Pterygium

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Pterygium

For patient information click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2]

Synonyms and keywords: pterygia


Overview

Pterygium removal surgery

Pterygium usually refers to a benign growth of the conjunctiva. Alternately, it refers to any winglike triangular membrane occurring in the neck, eyelids, knees, elbows, ankles or digits (J Pediatr Orthop B 2004, 13:197-201). An example is popliteal pterygium syndrome, which affects the legs. The term comes from the Greek word pterygion meaning "wing".

When associated with the conjunctiva, a pterygium commonly grows from the nasal side of the sclera. It is associated with, and thought to be caused by ultraviolet-light exposure (e.g. sunlight), low humidity, and dust. The predominance of pterygia on the nasal side is possibly a result of the sun's rays passing laterally through the cornea where it undergoes refraction and becomes focused on the limbic area. Sunlight passes unobstructed from the lateral side of the eye, focusing on the medial limbus after passing through the cornea. On the contralateral side, however, the shadow of the nose medially reduces the intensity of sunlight focused on the lateral/temporal limbus.[1]

Pathology

Pterygium in the conjunctiva is characterized by elastotic degeneration of collagen and fibrovascular proliferation. It has an advancing portion called the head of the pterygium, which is connected to the main body of the pterygium by the neck. Sometimes a line of iron deposition can be seen adjacent to the head of the pterygium called Stocker's line. The location of the line can give an indication of the pattern of growth. As it is a benign growth, it requires no treatment unless it grows to such an extent that it covers the pupil, obstructing vision. Some patients may also choose surgery if the growth becomes too unsightly. The exact cause is unknown, but it is associated with excessive exposure to wind, sun, or sand. Wearing protective sunglasses with side shields and/or wide brimmed hats and using artificial tears throughout the day may help prevent their formation or stop further growth. For surfers and other water-sport athletes, they should wear eye protection that block 100% of the UV rays from the water.

Occasionally it is found as an incidental finding in middle aged patients who spend a lot of time in the sun. Pterygiums are also among younger men and women who surf, wakeboard, and kiteboard due to excessive exposure to UV rays bouncing off of the water. Skiiers and snowboarders protect their eyes on the snow so athletes participating in water sports also need to take heed of the UV rays and protect their eyes.

Treatment

While patients can be symptomatically treated with artificial tears, no reliable medical treatment exists to reduce or even prevent pterygium progression. Definitive treatment is achieved only by surgical removal. Long term follow up is required as pterygium may recur even after complete surgical correction.

See also

External links

References

  1. Coroneo, MT (November 1993). "Pterygium as an early indicator of ultraviolet insolation: a hypothesis". Br J Ophthalmol. 77 (11): 734–9. PMID 8280691.

de:Pterygium it:Pterigio nl:Pterygium pms:Pterygium


Template:WikiDoc Sources