Pterygium, also known as 'surfer's eye', is a noncancerous growth of the conjunctiva that can extend to the cornea, commonly caused by prolonged UV exposure, affecting 10-12% of the global population and more prevalent in males aged 20-40. Its clinical presentation includes a triangular shape, redness, and discomfort, with management options ranging from conservative measures to surgical excision. Prognosis is generally good with prompt treatment, although complications may include recurrence, astigmatism, or vision loss.

1. PTERYGIUM(SURFER’S EYES)
PRESENTED BY : ALAO NICHOLAS
: EJEDAWE PROMISE

2. OUTLINE
• INTRODUCTION
• EPIDEMIOLOGY
• FEATURES
• MORPHOLOGY (FEATURES & PARTS)
• AETIOLOGY & RISK FACTORS
• CLINICAL FEATURES
• TYPES
• INVESTIGATIONS
• TREATMENT
• PROGNOSIS
• COMPLICATION

3. INTRODUCTION
• Pterygium is derived from the ancient Greek word,
Pterygion, which means wing.
• It is a noncancerous fibrovascular growth of the
conjunctiva and can extend to the cornea.
• it is a degenerative disease of the conjunctiva.
• Another name for pterygium is ‘surfer’s eye’s because
surfers are well exposed to the elements (sun,wind,salt,
water) that can give rise to the growth.

4. EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Worldwide about 10-12% of the population is affected
• In Nigeria, the prevalence rates of pterygium in the general population
varies from 4 to 9%.
• Males are more often affected than females with a ratio of 2:1
• It is common in adults from the ages 20-40yrs and less common in children
<12yrs.

5. FEATURES
• Shape : Triangular/wing-like
• -It is raised
• -Color : white or pink
• -Location: within the interpalpebral fissure. It can be found both in the nasal
/temporal region or both( here it is called ,double headed pyerygium). But
it is more commonly found in the nasal region.

6. PARTS
• Parts of the pterygium includes;
• Apex
• Head
• Body
• Base
• Stocker’s line(deposition of iron seen in the cornea epithelium at the apex
of the pterygium)

7. RISK FACTORS
• Prolonged exposure to UV radiation
• Certain occupations like farming and sailors
• Age(20-40yrs high incidence)
• Genetics
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Wind
• Dust

8. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
• The aetiopathohenesis of pterygium is unclear, however, UV radiation plays
a significant role in the development and progression.
• Prolonged exposure to UV radiation leads to mutations in the conjunctival
cells leading to an abnormal cell growth, it also stimulates fibroblast leading
to excessive collagen deposition.
• UV radiation also generates reactive oxygen species, damaging cellular
components.

9. TYPES
• 1) Progressive
• -high vascularity
• -thick
• -progressively encroaches towards the centre of the cornea
• 2) Regressive (atrophic)
• -thin
• -little vascularity

10. CLINICAL FEATURES
• Ranges from mild to severe
• -conjuctivitis
• -redness of eyes
• -dry eye
• -watery eye
• -grittiness/foreign body sensation
• -itching
• -eye pain/ocular ache
• -blur/double vision
• -Discomfort with contact lens

11. DIAGNOSIS
• -History taking
• -physical examination and other investigations including
• -visual acuity test
• -opthalmic examination using slit lamp biomicroscopy
• -corneal topography
• Corneal surface is examined to knw about it’s shape,curvature and thickness-pachymetry
• For this,one can use slit lamp,Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

12. TREATMENT
• This depends on severity
• A) Conservative management
• -giving lubricating eyedrops
• -using sunglasses for UV protection
• -avoidance of irritants ,wearing protective eyewears,hats e.t.c

13. TREATMENT CONT’D
• B) Surgical management
• -pterygion excision
• -A hole can be left behind which is filled using conjunctival autograft or amniotic tissue graft.
•
• Also after surgery, medications are given
•
• -antibiotics: prevent infec tions ,like fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin,levofloxacin),macrolides
(azithromycin)
• -steroid eyedrops : prevent pterygium from growing back

14. PROGNOSIS
• Good with prompt treatment and proper management.

15. COMPLICATIONS
• -Recurrence after surgery ,may occur due to risk factor exposure, non-
compliance to medications.
• -astigmatism
• -vision loss
• -corneal scarring