fbpx

Pingueculas/Pterygium

Alan D. Mendelsohn, MD, FACS

Expert Laser Cataract Surgeon

Eye Surgeons & Consultants

4651 Sheridan Street,

Suite #100

Hollywood, FL  33021

(954) 894-1500

myeyesurgeons.com

 

A pinguecula is a yellowish, slightly raised lesion that forms on the surface tissue of the white part of the eye, close to the edge of the cornea. It is caused by UV light exposure without adequate protection from sunglasses. Unfortunately, over 95% of sunglasses, including designer styles, have only tinting and actually offer zero or negligible protection.  We highly recommend, and personally wear sunglasses with UV-400 blocker and polarization on the front and back surfaces for maximal protection.  For those who require an eyeglass prescription sunglasses can also be purchased with a distance Rx or progressive lens Rx.

Since the level of UV exposure increases geometrically as one approaches the Equator, pingueculas are far more common in Floridians than those living in northern U.S.  One can develop pingueculas from outdoor sports, practices, and other activities after school or work and throughout the weekend under the beautiful sunny skies of Florida. Most people with pingueculas have dry eye symptoms, a mild foreign body sensation, occasional irritation, and their eyes are usually red, at times to a very noticeable extent.

Without the correct sunglass protection, pingueculas will continue to grow and eventually cover the corneal surface, now referred to as pterygium. They form a wedge or wing-shaped growth of benign fibrous tissue with blood vessels overlying and within the growths. With correct sunglass protection, again, consisting of UV-400 blocker and polarization on both lens surfaces, the pterygium almost always will stop growing. Drs Mendelsohn and Klein will closely monitor and document the extent of growth.  However, without the sunglass protection, they continue to grow and can interfere with vision, especially when they begin to encroach on the pupil. The development and progression of a pterygium is very much preventable. Once pterygiums have developed, they will not regress with sunglasses.

You May Also Like

Cook Together! Stay Together!

Lenore Nolan-Ryan Lenore Nolan Ryan Catering & Cooking School Galt Ocean Plaza 3311 North Ocean Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.491.2340 lenorenolanryan.com Why do I love teaching cooking classes? It isn’t just about the cooking. It’s about you. It’s an evolving experience between you and the ingredients, the equipment, and the interaction with your friends,

How Long Does Menopause Last?

Carolyn Zaumeyer Nurse Practitioner LowTE Florida 4540 N. Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.791.4498 LowTEFlorida.com I am asked this all the time ~ The interesting answer is (as you probably guessed) it is different for everyone. Some women breeze through menopause without a hot flash or any of the other obvious symptoms. But for

Carolyn Zaumeyer
The Art of Entertaining

Lenore Nolan-Ryan Lenore Nolan Ryan Catering & Cooking School Galt Ocean Plaza 3311 North Ocean Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.491.2340 lenorenolanryan.com When I am asked the question “how do you throw a great party?” It is without hesitation I say, “pick a theme!” Hosting a gathering small or large, in your backyard, living room,

Lenore Ryan
Valentine’s Day: A Catered Affair

Lenore Nolan-Ryan Lenore Nolan Ryan Catering & Cooking School Galt Ocean Plaza 3311 North Ocean Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.491.2340 lenorenolanryan.com Valentine’s Day is celebrated every year on February 14 and is considered the most romantic holiday of the year. The holiday’s roots are ancient and related to a Christian martyr, Saint Valentine of

Lenore Ryan

Other Posts

Crypto-Backed Mortgages

Randy Gilbert, J.D. Chief Happiness Officer Florida’s Title Insurance Company [email protected] (954) 500-Title (8485)  CRYPTO-BACKED MORTGAGES  In this article, I interviewed crypto-lender Milo, because it is locally headquartered in Miami, was a featured speaker at the Miami Association of Realtors’ 2022 Global Congress at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables last month, closed over $100

Randy Gilbert
For the Love of Food

Lenore Nolan-Ryan Lenore Nolan Ryan Catering & Cooking School Galt Ocean Plaza 3311 North Ocean Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.491.2340 lenorenolanryan.com Are you a Foodie? Are you an Epicurista? Are you a Culinarian? Are you a Gourmand, a Gourmet? What does it all mean? Are you one? Are you one and don’t know it?

Lenore Ryan
Collaborating for a Better South Florida

Roger Lopez Chief Operating Officer United HomeCare 305-716-0719 UnitedHomeCare.com Older adults are living longer and as the U.S. population ages, more and more people are handling long-term care planning for themselves or their loved ones. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there’s a 70 percent chance that a person retiring today

Are You Hormone Curious?

Carolyn Zaumeyer Nurse Practitioner LowTE Florida 4540 N. Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954.791.4498 Would you like to learn more about hormone therapy to decide if it is right for you? Since the pandemic began, I have been providing free virtual consultations for women and men from all over the country. I have many

Carolyn Zaumeyer