Yes.
When can I return to work?
Most people can return to work 1-2 days after the procedure.
What are the risks of the PECG procedure?
All surgery has some risk, but the risks involved with PECG are minimal. The largest risk is that the pterygium returns. The rate of recurrence of the pterygium with the PECG technique is about 5%. (The risk of recurrence if an autograft is not used is about 50%.) Another risk is that the graft does…Read more
What should I expect after the PECG procedure?
You will have a patch over your eye after the procedure, which will be removed the next day in the office. Your eye may feel gritty, or have a “foreign body” feeling for a few days. Some people have mild to moderate eye pain for 2-3 days after the surgery, and this can be treated…Read more
How does the graft stay in place?
In the past, we used to sew the graft in place with microscopic sutures. However, sutures in the eye can be uncomfortable. We now use a surgical glue which binds the graft to the eye in seconds – no sutures required!!! The glue is formulated from the natural compounds in the human body which allows…Read more
What is conjunctival autografting?
If the pterygium is removed and an autograft is not placed, then there is a high risk of the pterygium returning. The conjunctiva surrounding the pterygium has also been damaged by the sun, and there is a risk that the pterygium can return larger after the procedure. Using a conjunctival graft greatly reduces this risk.…Read more
Can the pterygium be removed?
Yes. The modern technique of pterygium removal is called pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting (PECG). This is an out-patient procedure and takes about 15-20 minutes. During the procedure, you are awake, but you are given medicine that will make you relaxed so you do not feel any pain, and often you do not remember the…Read more
What can be done to prevent the pterygium from getting larger?
Not much. We recommend wearing UV sunglasses when you are in direct sunlight.
What symptoms can be caused by a pterygium?
Some people will have no symptoms when the pterygium is small. However, pterygiums will grow slowly and can cause decreased vision if it grows over the pupil. Pterygiums can also cause astigmatism as they grow, requiring a need for glasses if the pterygium is very large. Pterygiums can also cause eye irritation, a dry eye…Read more
What is a pterygium?
A pterygium is an abnormal growth of the conjunctiva (the skin of the eye.) A pterygium is benign (not cancer), but if not removed, it can continue to grow and cover the cornea and limit vision. Pterygiums are caused by sun exposure, and are more common in people who have lived in tropical climates, or…Read more
