Excision of pinguecula and pterygium with autologous conjunctival graft

Removal of a growth that starts on the white of the eye and crosses on to the clear optical black part (cornea), combined with covering of the bare area created with a graft, using biological glue

A pterygium is a triangular wing like non-cancerous growth that grows from the white of the eye on to the cornea, the transparent window of the eye. The growth brings with it scar tissue and abnormal blood vessels. It distorts the cornea and when it covers the pupil, it seriously affects vision. It progresses very slowly but ideally, if it is progressing, it should be removed before it affects sight. One of the main side effect of surgical removal is recurrence by regrowth of the pterygium. To prevent this, a graft of the lining of the eye (conjunctiva) usually from the same eye (autologous) is used to cover the area from where the pterygium was removed. This is attached with fibrin glue. This gives a high success rate without recurrence.

A pinguecula is a small yellow fat-like deposit in the white part of the eye at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions. It is often but not always a precursor to a pterygium. If it starts to cause irritation or shows signs of becoming a pterygium it can be removed.