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A pterygium is a pinkish, benign, wedge-shaped growth of tissue that
may occur on either side of the
cornea. The exact cause of the growth is not known, but due to the
high frequency of cases that occur in sunny climates, it has been associated with
exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from the sun.
The tissue is actually a fibrovascular growth of
conjunctiva. The growth commonly originates
from the nose and progresses toward the center of the eye. Over time, the growth
can cause instability in the tear film and lead to dry eye syndrome. The corneal degradation
caused by the tissue may extend beyond the leading edge of growth. Because of this,
the pterygium may negatively affect vision even if it does not extend into the visual
field.
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The physical signs of pterygia include the formation of a triangular,
pinkish-colored tissue on the surface of the cornea. The growth may become red and
inflamed with progression. If the lesion becomes large and thick, it may result
in a sensation as if due to the presence of a foreign body.
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