Pinguecula & Pterygium

Key Features

• Often bilateral

• Occur more frequently on the nasal side of the conjunctiva

• Pingueculae rarely grow but may become inflamed (pingueculitis)

• Pterygia become inflamed and may grow

• Recurrence is common and often more aggressive than the primary lesion

Clinical Findings

• Pinguecula

  • A yellowish elevated conjunctival nodule in the area of the palpebral fissure

  • Common in persons over age 35 years

• Pterygium

  • A fleshy, triangular encroachment of the conjunctiva onto the cornea

  • Usually associated with prolonged exposure to wind, sun, sand, and dust

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis made on clinical grounds alone

Treatment

• No treatment is usually required for inflammation of pinguecula or pterygium

• Artificial tears are often beneficial

• Indications for excision of pterygium

  • Growth that threatens vision by encroaching on the visual axis

  • Marked induced astigmatism

  • Severe ocular irritation