Eye Health Guide · ORINvue
Pterygium (Surfer's Eye)
Hindi / common name: Pterygium (aankh mein maans badhna / naakhuna)
A pterygium is a pinkish, fleshy, wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva that usually starts on the white of the eye near the nose and slowly grows towards or onto the cornea. In Hindi it is often called 'aankh mein maans badhna' or 'naakhuna'. It is not cancer and is common in people who spend a lot of time outdoors in sunny, dusty and windy conditions. A related, smaller yellowish bump that does not grow onto the cornea is called a pinguecula.
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Symptoms of pterygium
- A visible pink or red fleshy growth on the white of the eye, usually on the nose side
- Redness and irritation
- Gritty, foreign-body feeling
- Dryness and burning
- Blurred vision if it grows onto the centre of the cornea or causes astigmatism
- Cosmetic concern
Causes and risk factors
- Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) sunlight
- Dust, wind and dry heat
- Outdoor work such as farming, construction, driving and street vending
- Living in hot, sunny climates
- Dry eye
How it is diagnosed
An eye doctor diagnoses pterygium by examining the eye with a slit lamp. Corneal topography may be done to measure astigmatism caused by the growth. Photographs help track whether it is growing.
Treatment options
- Lubricating eye drops for irritation and dryness
- Short courses of anti-inflammatory drops for flare-ups, only if prescribed by an eye doctor
- Surgery to remove the pterygium if it affects vision, keeps growing, or causes significant discomfort
- Modern surgery usually uses a conjunctival graft to reduce the chance of regrowth
- UV protection to slow growth and reduce recurrence after surgery
Glasses and lens options
Wraparound UV-protective sunglasses and a wide-brim cap or helmet visor are the most useful eyewear. If the pterygium causes astigmatism, updated glasses may help until treatment. Photochromic lenses give UV protection for spectacle wearers who move between indoors and outdoors.
Prevention and everyday care
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses outdoors, especially in strong midday sun
- Use a cap, hat or helmet visor
- Protect eyes from dust and wind while riding two-wheelers
- Use lubricating drops if your eyes feel dry
When to see an eye specialist the same day
- Rapid growth or a change in colour or shape
- Bleeding or a raised irregular lesion on the eye surface
- Growth reaching the centre of the cornea and affecting vision
Pterygium in Lucknow
Lucknow's intense summer sun, dusty roads and long two-wheeler commutes make UV and dust protection especially important for daily riders, delivery workers and outdoor workers.
How ORINvue can help
Every eye test at ORINvue is done by our qualified optometrist, Khushboo Gangwar, a complete vision and eye-health check in 10–15 minutes, free with every package. If a pterygium is growing or bothering you, she guides you to a trusted eye specialist. ORINvue helps with UV-protective sunglasses, photochromic lenses and updated spectacles, from ₹999 all-inclusive.
Book Free Eye TestFrequently asked questions about Pterygium
Is pterygium cancer?
No. Pterygium is a benign growth. However, any unusual, rapidly changing or bleeding growth should be checked by an eye doctor.
Can pterygium go away with eye drops?
Drops can relieve redness and irritation but do not remove the growth. Surgery is the only way to remove it.
Does pterygium come back after surgery?
It can recur. Modern techniques such as conjunctival grafting and UV protection after surgery reduce the risk.
What is the difference between pterygium and pinguecula?
A pinguecula is a yellowish bump on the white of the eye that does not grow onto the cornea. A pterygium grows onto the cornea.
How can I protect my eyes while riding a bike?
Use UV-protective sunglasses or a helmet with a visor to block sun, dust and wind.
Explore more: Eye Health Guide (all conditions) · Optical & spectacles questions answered · ORINvue blog
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Every eye test is done by our qualified optometrist, Khushboo Gangwar, free with every spectacle package. Opening December 2026 in Kalyanpur, Vikas Nagar, Lucknow. Open daily 10 AM–10 PM.
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