Pterygium is a growth of the conjunctiva. These growths develop onto the cornea. The conjunctiva is the clear tissue that covers the sclera. The sclera is the white part of the eye. It also lines inside your eyelids.
Ophthalmologists don’t know the exact reason that pterygium develops. Many often associate them with excessive exposure to wind, time spent in the sun without protection from UV rays, or sand.
When the conjunctiva first starts to get thicker, it is a pinguecula. The size of a pinguecula can vary. In some cases, it spreads to the cornea and may affect your vision. Once a pinguecula spreads to the cornea and affects your vision, it is no longer a pinguecula. When this happens, it is now considered pterygium and you’ll need to have it removed.
Pterygium can cause redness, tearing, itching, swelling, and irritation, as well as obstruct your vision.
According to Pterygium: prevalence, demography and risk factors, “Pterygium occurs in about 10-15% of Americans in the United States.
You can’t put a price on your quality of life. If your life is starting to be affected by your pterygium then it is time to speak to the experts. In a single, pain-free procedure your pterygium can be removed. Then, within as little as two weeks you will notice your eye’s appearance returning to normal. It’s that easy. Minimally invasive, you won’t need stitches, and you won’t need to take more than a couple of days off work. Simply apply the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops given to you by your doctor and your eye will heal seamlessly in no time. In addition to pterygium surgery, we also specialize in LRI (Limbal Relaxing Incisions), a procedure designed to correct astigmatism and enhance your vision.
We believe that eye health and good vision should be accessible for all which is why we offer affordable treatments. If your vision is obstructed, then your insurance could cover you for the procedure. Our team may check with your insurance carrier to identify your level of coverage before treatment. And if you are not covered by your insurance, we offer finance options to suit you. For more information, speak to our experts at your initial consultation.
Good candidates for pterygium excision must be at least 18 years of age or older and in good health.
There may be times when IQ Laser Vision may need to turn away patients who do not qualify for the procedure. Our number one concern is not about the number of patients we bring in but the quality of care and high level of service we can provide.
That is why it is important to come in for our free consultation. This allows one of the eye doctors at IQ Laser Vision to determine your candidacy and provide the best vision correction options for you.
Deciding whether to have a Pterygium procedure can be hard to make if you don’t know enough about it. Frequenyly Asked Questions include some of the following to consider:
No. Before the procedure, your eyes will be thoroughly numbed using topical anesthetic eye drops, ensuring you won’t feel a thing during the procedure. If you’re anxious, there are various anti-anxiety medications available as well.
Most patients can return to work within 1-2 days. This number does depend on your occupation. Physical activity and exercise should be completely avoided for 2 weeks. This helps to decrease the risk of swelling and irritation.
After removal, it is difficult to determine whether you will have another pterygium. Even with cutting-edge techniques, the recurrence rate can be as high as 35%. IQ Laser Vision will provide valuable day-to-day practices to decrease your chances of recurrence.
At first, the eye is typically red for about 7-14 days after the procedure. Depending on the patient, after 2-3 weeks your eye will slowly start returning to normal. After you’ve healed, there are not usually any visible scars from the procedure.
Contact lenses should not be worn for at least 2 weeks after surgery. This does depend on the extent of your procedure. Your doctor will provide final clearance on when you can wear your contact lenses again.
Many pterygium excisions are done for cosmetic purposes and are typically viewed as an elective procedure. If the pterygium interferes with your field of vision, the procedure may be deemed “medically necessary” and some insurance plans may cover a part if not all, of the procedure. IQ Laser Vision will check with your insurance carrier to determine their coverage.
I highly recommend IQ Laser Vision to those who are interested in getting their vision corrected. They have different options depending on your eye's condition (SMILE, LASIK, ICL) and have different locations as well!!
I can't thank Dr. Lin enough for giving me a 20/20 vision. He was very patient and made the procedure as painless and comfortable as possible. Thank you to Dr. Liu, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Richard, and all the amazing staff for being kind and extremely helpful throughout a life changing experience. Thank you IQ Laser VIsion for taking care of me and making my 2021 a year with 2020 vision!
@bmacaalay
A week before the surgery, the first step is to visit your IQ Laser Vision ophthalmologist, who will be performing the procedure.
On the day of the procedure, you will receive a relaxation pill and and numbing eye drops. The last thing anyone wants is you to be in pain, so they'll numb your eyes and help keep you comfortable.
You'll still be awake but sedated. Being sedated helps you move your eyes less during the procedure. If you're still feeling overwhelmed, close your eyes and breathe. It will be over before you know it.
Once your eyes are numb and you’re comfortable, your surgeon will use drops to clean out your eyes. They will also use a lid to gently hold your eyelids open so you don't blink.
Your surgeon then creates a small opening in your eye. The lens is folded and placed in the eye.
Once they make sure the lens is in place, your surgeon and the nurses at IQ Laser Vision will apply eye drops or ointment to lubricate and protect the cornea. You will have clear eye shields to wear after the procedure to protect the eye.
After you’re cleared to go home, you’ll need to have someone else drive you home. You can’t drive yourself home so make sure a friend or family member can bring you to and from your appointment.
You’ll need to rest your eyes once you get home from your EVO ICL procedure. Avoid any activities that may strain your eyes like watching TV, reading, or any strenuous exercising for the first day.
You can use drops and ointments to keep your eyes moist once you are home after your EVO ICL procedure. Expect to return to your eye doctor the day after you have the implant for a follow-up appointment.
This is to ensure your eyes are healing and the lens is where it should be.
Regardless of whether your pterygium is affecting your vision or not, we want to hear from you. Many of our clients don’t find their vision is impacted at all, they just feel self-conscious about the appearance of their pterygium and their eye. So whether it is affecting your vision, your confidence, or both, it’s time to get in touch. In a quick and pain-free procedure, we will restore your eye to its normal appearance. We also offer cataract surgery in Southern California, ensuring that all of your eye care needs are met under one roof.
If you are aged over 18 and generally in good health, then you are a great candidate for our pterygium surgeon to work his magic. Book a free consultation with our friendly team to understand how the procedure could benefit you. If you’re not a candidate for LASIK or pterygium laser surgery, you may want to consider EVO ICL surgery, another advanced option we offer to correct vision issues.
So what are you waiting for? Get started today by completing our online inquiry form or calling our experts at 888-539-2211. Don’t suffer with your pterygium when it can be removed in a quick, pain-free procedure. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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