Pinguecula/Ptyergium

Early Pinguecula

Pingueculas are harmless growths on the white of the eye and are usually on either side of the Clear Cornea.  When the growths continue onto the cornea they are called Pterygiums.  These growths occur when they eye is inflamed from being irritated in dry, windy, dusty and sunny outdoor environments.  You may slow the growth down by wearing sunglasses, taking over the counter artificial tears or avoiding irritating environments.  Pterygiums are usually not removed until they grow over the central part of the vision (which may take years to happen) because if removed too early it may reoccur and the second surgery is never as easy or clean as the first.  Complications from these growths are usually Dry Eye, because they result in an uneven tear film when they eye blinks.

You can read the Wikipedia on Pterygiums Here

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