What is the Difference Between a Pinguecula and Pterygium?

Both a pinguecula and a pterygium are bumps or elevations on the white of the eye. Neither of these conditions are cancerous but both can affect vision or eye comfort.

What are the Sclera and Conjunctiva?

The white part of the eye is called the sclera. This portion of the eye is made from very dense, protective tissue that is designed to hold the eyeball together and prevent it from injury.

There is a clear, thin membrane that covers the sclera. This membrane is the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva has blood vessels and lymphatic vessels to provide nutrients to the eyeball.

Both the sclera and the conjunctiva surround the cornea which is the front of the eye in the center and in front of the colored portion of the eye.

How a Pinguecula or Pterygium Forms

If the sclera or conjunctiva are continually exposed to ultraviolet light or are frequently irritated in the same area, the sclera can begin to form a bump.

The areas to the left and right of the center of the eye, next to the cornea, are where nearly all pinguecula will form due to this exposure and irritation.

Typically, this bump will become a pinguecula over time as it becomes larger and more prominent.

A pinguecula can then begin to transform into a pterygium in very few cases.

Pinguecula vs Pterygium

A pinguecula is a small bump that is confined to the sclera and the conjunctiva. A pinguecula may cause slight irritation and a feeling that there is something in the eye, but it will not impede vision.

A pterygium is similar to a pinguecula, but a pterygium has grown to cover a portion of the cornea. Since the pterygium is on the cornea, it will impact vision and can also induce some abnormal astigmatism, or tilt, to the eye.

Treatments for Pinguecula

A pinguecula will rarely require treatment beyond management of the few symptoms that it may cause.

If the pinguecula is causing irritation or dryness, then lubricating eye drops called artificial tears can be used daily to reduce the irritating sensation.

To prevent the pinguecula from growing or converting into a pterygium, ultraviolet light protection should be used. This can include wearing sunglasses with a wrap around design, wearing a hat with a brim, and limiting the time spent in direct sunlight.

Treatments for Pterygium

A pterygium will require treatment more often than a pinguecula since it can impact vision.

If the pterygium is mild, it can be treated in the same way as a pinguecula with lubricating eye drops and ultraviolet light protection.

However, if the pterygium is more severe and has grown close to the center of the cornea or has begun to induce astigmatism to the cornea, surgery may be required.

The surgery procedure used is known as a pterygium resection. This process includes cutting the edges of the pterygium and removing it from the cornea back towards the sclera.

Even with a surgical removal, a pterygium may grow back and still cause problems.

Prognosis for Pinguecula and Pterygium

Both a pinguecula and pterygium have the ability to have great outcomes in which no vision is reduced, and the eye comfort is excellent.

In order for the best outcomes, early treatment and prevention is needed.

Dr. Nathan Abraham and the staff of the Abraham Eye Center specializes in cataract surgery, LASIK, PRK, and various corneal surgeries.  Call our ophthalmologist in Valencia, CA today at 661-977-7377 or schedule an appointment online if you are interested in learning more about a pinguecula or pterygium or need to have one checked out by a doctor.  Our eye doctor provides only the highest quality eye care and surgical services amongst eye doctors in the Valencia California area.