PTERYGIUM SURGERY
(07) 4081 3000
Address
Cairns Clinic: 77 Woodward St, Edge Hill
Innisfail Clinic: Innisfail Hospital
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 3pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Closed on Public Holidays
For after hours emergencies ring Cairns Hospital on (07) 4226 0000
Pterygium is a fibrovascular growth of tissue that extends from the white part of the eye (the sclera)onto the clear part of the eye (the cornea). Most pterygia grow from the nasal aspect of the cornea. Pterygia can interfere with sight by extending onto the cornea and impairing vision, they can also become recurrently irritated and inflamed. Pterygia are removed surgically and prevented from recurring by taking some of a patient’s own stem cells from the eye with a graft to prevent regrowth.
This operation is highly successful and usually gives an excellent cosmetic result.
Pterygium surgery usually involves extensive removal of the pterygium and suturing in an autoconjunctival graft containing the patient’s own corneal epithelial stem cells to prevent the pterygium recurring. The sutures dissolve over a period of 4 – 6 weeks. Patients are advised to wear wrap around sunglasses before and after pterygium surgery. Anti-inflammatory drops and topical antibiotics are often used in the first month post pterygium surgery. If you suffer with a pterygium you can contact us to make an appointment to have it assessed.
