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What Is a Pterygium?
A pterygium is a harmless but often uncomfortable growth that develops on the surface of the eye. It begins in the conjunctiva; the thin, clear layer over the white of the eye and can slowly extend onto the cornea. This usually happens when the eye has been exposed to years of irritation from sunlight, wind, dust or dry conditions. People who spend a lot of time outdoors, work in bright environments, or have lived in warmer climates tend to be more at risk.
Typical symptoms include redness, dryness, irritation or a feeling as though something is in the eye. If the growth moves further onto the cornea, it can change its shape and cause astigmatism, leading to blurred or distorted vision. Although a pterygium is not dangerous, it can continue to enlarge over time. Early treatment focuses on relieving irritation and protecting the eye from UV light; surgery may be recommended if it begins to impact vision, causes ongoing discomfort, or becomes cosmetically noticeable.
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What Are the Symptoms of a Pterygium?
A pterygium doesn’t always cause problems at first, but as the tissue becomes more noticeable, people often experience:
- Redness or local inflammation on the white of the eye
- Dryness, irritation or a gritty feeling, especially outdoors
- Blurred or fluctuating vision, depending on how the surface of the eye is affected
- Changes in your glasses prescription, caused by an uneven corneal shape
- In more advanced cases, the growth can move closer to the pupil and begin to obstruct central vision
These symptoms can come and go, often worsening with sunlight, wind or air-conditioned environments.
Will I Need Treatment for a Pterygium?
Treatment is recommended when the pterygium causes ongoing irritation, repeated inflammation, cosmetic concern or any effect on your vision, such as astigmatism or growth onto the cornea.
Treatment options include:
- Lubricating eye drops – Reduce dryness and ease the gritty sensation.
- Short courses of anti-inflammatory drops – Steroid or NSAID drops may be used for flare-ups, under specialist supervision.
- Surgical removal with conjunctival autograft – Advised if the growth impacts vision, causes persistent discomfort, or if you prefer removal for cosmetic reasons.
UV protection, such as wrap-around sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats is helpful at every stage to reduce irritation and slow progression.
After Surgery
Once the procedure is complete, your eye will be covered with a protective shield to keep it safe overnight. You’ll be given antibiotic drops to reduce the risk of infection, along with simple after-care instructions and direct contact details should you need advice. Most patients feel comfortable and ready to head home within 20–30 minutes, and we make sure you know exactly what to expect over the first few days of healing.
You’ll also have a follow-up appointment arranged to check the eye is healing as expected and that the graft remains stable. Vision continues to settle over the first few weeks, and most patients find any initial redness or irritation fades quickly. During this period, we advise avoiding swimming, heavy exercise and dusty environments, but normal daily activities can usually be resumed within a day or two.
What should I expect?
It’s normal to experience some mild discomfort or a feeling of soreness for the first few days. This usually settles quickly with standard pain relief. The eye will remain red for a couple of weeks while the surface heals, and you’ll use antibiotic drops to protect against infection which is very rare; along with steroid drops to keep inflammation under control.
A soft bandage contact lens is sometimes placed on the eye to support healing until your follow-up appointment. If it slips out, don’t try to replace it yourself; simply get in touch and we’ll advise you. You may also be asked to use lubricating drops while the corneal surface becomes smooth again. These early symptoms are expected, and our team is always available if you need reassurance or have questions.
Who Is Pterygium Treatment For?
Pterygium treatment is suitable for anyone experiencing discomfort, redness, blurred vision or cosmetic concerns caused by a growing tissue on the surface of the eye. While some people only need simple measures such as lubrication and UV protection, others benefit from surgical removal, particularly if the growth has started to affect vision or repeatedly becomes inflamed.
Treatment is commonly recommended for:
- People with persistent irritation that doesn’t settle with drops
- Individuals whose vision is changing due to corneal distortion or astigmatism
- Those noticing the growth moving toward the pupil
- Patients unhappy with the appearance of the tissue
- Outdoor workers or athletes who experience repeated flare-ups from sunlight, wind or dry environments
If the pterygium is interfering with daily life whether visually or cosmetically, a consultation with Dr Fadi Kherdaji can help determine the most effective and long-term approach.
When to Monitor and When to See a Specialist
Use this guide to understand which symptoms you can usually manage at home and which suggest it’s time to arrange a review with Dr Fadi Kherdaji in Cheltenham. It’s a quick way to see what’s normal, what needs closer attention, and when early treatment can prevent bigger problems later on.
Real Stories From Our Pterygium Patients
Many people come to Dr Fadi Kherdaji because a pterygium is affecting their comfort, confidence or vision in everyday life. From outdoor workers and sports enthusiasts to office professionals, treatment can make a real difference, easing irritation, improving clarity and restoring a more natural appearance to the eye. Below are real experiences from patients across Cheltenham and the surrounding areas who chose to have their pterygium treated.
“I’d reached a point where the redness and irritation from my pterygium made every day uncomfortable. Reading became difficult, and my eye constantly felt gritty. After having it removed by Dr Kherdaji, the relief was immediate. My eye feels normal again, and the redness has completely gone.”
“The growth on my eye wasn’t just affecting my vision, it was affecting my confidence. It kept getting bigger and more noticeable. Surgery was far easier than I expected, and within a few days the improvement was huge. I’m so glad I finally did something about it.”
“I work outside every day, so my pterygium flared up constantly. Wind, sun, even dust would set it off. After treatment, the discomfort stopped almost straight away, and the cosmetic difference is fantastic. I can get on with my job without worrying about my eye.”
“Driving became tough because my vision kept shifting as the growth moved further across my cornea. After seeing Dr Kherdaji, everything was explained clearly, and the surgery went smoothly. My vision is stable again, and that constant irritation has finally gone.”
“My pterygium had reached the point where it made my eye look permanently inflamed. I hated photos and felt self-conscious at work. Removing it made such a difference, friends and family noticed straight away. I feel like myself again.”
“As someone who plays a lot of outdoor sports, the burning and watering from my pterygium was getting out of control. Treatment with Dr Kherdaji was simple, and recovery was quicker than I expected. My eye feels comfortable for the first time in years.”
FAQs About Pterygium
Patients often have questions about how pterygium develops, whether it will grow back, and what recovery is really like. Here are clear, straightforward answers to the things people most often ask during consultations with Dr Fadi Kherdaji in Cheltenham.
Is a pterygium dangerous?
No! It’s a benign (non-cancerous) growth. However, it can still affect comfort, appearance and vision, which is why treatment is sometimes recommended.
Will a pterygium go away on its own?
No. Once formed, it does not shrink or disappear naturally. It may remain stable for a long time or slowly increase in size.
What causes a pterygium to grow?
Chronic exposure to UV light, wind, dust and dry air are the main triggers. Outdoor workers and athletes often notice symptoms sooner.
Can glasses fix the vision problems caused by a pterygium?
Sometimes, early astigmatism can be managed with glasses. But if the cornea is distorted by the growth, surgery is often the only way to restore clarity.
Is pterygium surgery painful?
No. The eye is fully numbed with anaesthetic drops. Some scratchiness or mild tenderness is normal for a few days afterwards.
How long does the surgery take?
The procedure usually takes around 20–30 minutes, with most patients ready to leave shortly afterwards.
Will the pterygium come back after surgery?
Recurrence is uncommon when modern techniques are used. A conjunctival autograft, the method performed by Dr Kherdaji, significantly reduces the chance of regrowth.
When can I drive again?
Most patients can drive within a few days, once the initial soreness has settled and vision is clear enough for safe driving. Dr Kherdaji will advise individually.
Can both eyes be treated at the same time?
If both eyes have a pterygium, surgery is typically done one eye at a time to ensure comfortable healing and stable vision throughout recovery.
How soon can I return to exercise or swimming?
Light activity can restart in a few days, but swimming, heavy exercise and dusty environments should be avoided for around 2-3 weeks to protect the graft.