Taking a closer look at Surfer’s Eye treatment, AKA, Pterygium surgery

Pterygium, sometimes referred to as Surfer’s Eye, is a noncancerous growth on the eye. In some cases, the pterygium only affects the white of the eye and has no symptoms, but it can grow over the cornea and affect your vision. This is a fairly common condition and the standard treatment for it is a minor surgery. 

Why is it called Surfer’s Eye?

It’s nothing to do with surfing or the sea, but has everything to do with the sun. The primary cause of pterygium is prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV light. Being on the water in the sun for long hours, as surfers are, increases the risk because the UV rays are reflected off the water. Hence, the name – Surfer’s Eye. The condition is most common in 30-50 year-olds and while UV radiation is the primary cause, it is thought that exposure to dust and wind can also be a contributing factor.

What to expect from Surfer’s Eye treatment

If you’ve been told you need to have pterygium eye surgery, you may feel a little apprehensive. It’s common for people to find the idea of eye surgery nerve-wracking, and it’s our job to make the whole experience easy and stress-free. The team of experienced eye doctors at Oday Alsheikh MD Braverman-Terry-OEI Associates in San Antonio will be there to guide you through the entire process and provide you with peace of mind. 

Pterygium eye surgery doesn’t take long and is a low-risk procedure. You will be sedated and the area will be numbed, so you won’t feel any discomfort. This type of surgery is much more successful and efficient than it was in the past, as the eye is no longer left unprotected after the pterygium is removed. A graft of donor tissue is used to keep the eye safe and prevent the regrowth of the pterygium. Previously, the eye was left to heal by itself which led to a high rate of recurrence and long recovery times. 

Pterygium surgery recovery

Because of the modern techniques used in pterygium surgery, recovery time is significantly reduced. The donor tissue graft provides much more comfort for you post-surgery and you can expect to be back at work after just a couple of days. 

You will need to wear an eye patch or pad for a short time to prevent infection after the surgery. This will also help to stop you from rubbing your eye, which can risk dislodging the donor tissue. Our team of top rated Lasik surgeons will always give you full aftercare instructions, to help you ensure quick and efficient healing. 

An eye surgeon you can rely on

If you require surgery to remove a pterygium, schedule a consultation with Oday Alsheikh MD Braverman-Terry-OEI Associates, your trusted eye doctors in San Antonio. Dr Oday Alsheikh and his team are highly experienced and talented surgeons that are renowned for their surgical skills across the USA, so you can relax in the knowledge that you are in great hands.