Pterygium

A pterygium, meaning "wing", is a benign growth of the conjunctiva. It more commonly tends to grow from the nasalside of the sclera. It is caused principally by ultraviolet sun exposure. It appears predominantly on the nasal side because the corneaacts as a lensfor sunlight on the medial/nasalside but not on the lateral/temporalside due to the shadow cast by the nose.

Pathology

Pterygium is characterized by elastotic degeneration of collagen and fibrovascular proliferation. It has an advancing portion called the head of the pteygium, 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. As it is a benign growth, it requires no treatment unless it grows to such an extent that it covers the pupil, obstructing vision. Wearing protective sunglasseswith side shields will help prevent their formation or stop further growth.

Occasionally found as an incidental findingin middle aged patients who spend a lot of time in the sun.

See also

• List of eye diseases and disorders

it:Pterigio

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterygium Wikipedia article Pterygium.