A pterygium, meaning wing, is a benign growth of the conjunctiva. It more commonly tends to grow from the nasal side of the sclera. It is caused principally by ultraviolet sun exposure. It appears predominantly on the nasal side because the cornea acts as a lens for sunlight on the medial/nasal side but not on the lateral/temporal side due to the shadow cast by the nose. The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The conjunctiva is a membrane that covers the sclera (white part of the eye) and lines the inside of the eyelids. ... Human nose in profile The Nose is a story by Gogol and an opera by Dmitri Shostakovich. ... The sclera is the white outer coating of the eye. ... The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber and provides most of an eyes optical power [1]. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light and consequently helps the eye to focus. ... A lens. ... For the meaning of medial in anatomy, see anatomical terms of location. ... Human nose in profile The Nose is a story by Gogol and an opera by Dmitri Shostakovich. ... The term lateral can refer to: an anatomical definition of direction. ... For alternate uses of time, see Time (disambiguation) or see TIME (magazine). ... Human nose in profile The Nose is a story by Gogol and an opera by Dmitri Shostakovich. ...
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 sunglasses with side shields will help prevent their formation or stop further growth. Benign can refer to any medical condition which, untreated or with symptomatic therapy, will not become life-threatening. ... The human eye The pupil is the central transparent area (showing as black). ... Visual perception is one of the senses, consisting of the ability to detect light and interpret (see) it as the perception known as sight or naked eye vision. ... Brown sunglasses Dark sunglasses Sunglasses are a visual aid, variously termed spectacles or glasses, which feature lenses that are coloured or darkened to screen out strong light from the eyes. ...
Occasionally found as an incidental finding in middle aged patients who spend a lot of time in the sun.
or abnormal posterior with proximity to the popliteal pterygium,
Pterygium is low-signal narrow cord with wider "belly" of tissue (arrowheads) at its superior portion that is isointense to muscle in signal intensity.
or at the posterior margin of the pterygium [1, 4].
A pterygium (from the Greek word pterygion for wing) is a slightly elevated, superficial, wing-shaped, fleshy conjunctival growth that covers and alters the shape of the cornea.
Most patients with pterygium contact ophthalmologists either due to concern regarding the appearance of the lesion, or because the lesion is irritating the eye or it is adversely affecting vision.
The risks of pterygium excision surgery are low and, in general, if the pterygium is excised before it encroaches to the center area of the cornea, the prognosis for post-operative vision is excellent.