Excessive exposure to UV light is considered a risk factor for this. This leads to changes in the stem cells at the peripheral edge of the cornea (limbal stem cells). However, a pterygium can also develop after burns or other accidents in the area of the conjunctiva and cornea. If there is irritation of the eye, a significant astigmatism or a clearly progressive growth towards the center of the cornea, surgical removal of the corneal membrane is indicated. The open area is then covered with a conjunctival graft to prevent re-growth as far as possible. This is removed from another part of the eye or the partner eye and fixed in place with fine threads. In complicated cases, this transplant will also contain the limbal stem cells (limbal stem cell transplant). Alternatively, it is also possible to close the resulting defect with an amniotic membrane (inner fetal egg membrane) obtained from placental tissue. Rarely, cell division-inhibiting drugs are also used intraoperatively. Moisturizing eye drops and, initially, eye drops containing cortisone are used as follow-up treatment.
The postoperative course after pterygium excision is illustrated below using a specific case.
