After removal of the pterygium. Is pterygium of the eye malignant: causes, symptoms and treatment of formation. Use of folk remedies

Pterygium is a disease of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva (the mucous membrane of the eyeball) changes, thickens and grows onto the cornea from the nasal or temporal side. In this case, the cornea suffers, it becomes cloudy, and astigmatism occurs. The only method of radical treatment for this disease is surgical removal of the formation. There are many options for pterygium surgery. With all methods, relapses of the disease occur. The most effective are those that form a barrier to the growth of the affected mucous membrane on the cornea. Excimer laser resurfacing of the cornea is of great importance.

Even with an ideally performed operation, the following features of the postoperative period are possible:

• 1. Painful sensations within 1-2 days after surgery, especially during the first hours after surgery.
• 2. Clouding of the cornea in the area of ​​the removed pterygium.
• 3. Redness of the eye, thickening, swelling of the mucous membrane for 1-2 months.
• 4. Redness of the eye may occur periodically in the future, because Your conjunctiva requires constant monitoring.

Before surgery:

• - On the morning of surgery, wash your face thoroughly with soap.
• - on the morning of the operation, you can allow yourself a light breakfast.
• - eye drops will need to be purchased at a pharmacy before or after surgery in accordance with this leaflet and (or) the written prescription.
• - Bring sunglasses with you.

You need to have your test results with you:

• - Blood test for Wasserman reaction
• - Blood test for HIV
• - Blood test for HBS antigen, HCV antigen

Fluorographic examination (chest x-ray)

We are waiting for you on the day of surgery ___________20___, at ______ hour _____ minutes

After operation:

• You can go home after receiving all the necessary recommendations.
• For the first 14 days, do not touch your eyes. Avoid contact with raw water and do not wash your hair.
• Use only special drops as prescribed by your doctor.
• In order to protect your eyes from the irritating effects of bright light, wind and dust on the street, you must wear sunglasses of any color and with any degree of darkness, which must be washed daily with soap.
• Avoid drinking carbonated and alcoholic drinks and large quantity liquids.
• Sutures are usually removed 5-7 days after surgery.

We remind you that postoperative observation is carried out for 30 days at no additional charge. Applications within 1.5 to 6 months are paid at a discount, after 6 months (from the date of operation) - at full price. The doctor can give you additional recommendations and schedule an examination.

Scheme for instilling drops after surgery (unless the attending physician prescribes otherwise):

Drops can be instilled yourself or relatives can do it. After washing your hands with soap, pull down the lower eyelid of the operated eye, drop 2 drops of medicine into the hollow formed between the eyelid and the eye (do not touch the eye with the pipette!). In this case, it is better to look up. The break between instilling different medications is at least 5 minutes. There is no need to apply drops at night.

FLOXAL 2 drops:
- the first 3 days - 5 times a day. (9.00, 13.00, 17.00, 20.00, 23.00)

TOBRADEX (MAXITROL) 2 drops from the 3rd to 5th (as recommended by a doctor) days after surgery:
- 1st week 4 times a day. (at 9.10, 13.10, 17.10, 23.10)
- 2nd week 3 times a day. (at 9.10, 17.10, 23.10)
- 3-8 weeks 2 times a day. (at 9.10, 23.10)

CORNEREGEL
- 2 weeks 3 times a day. (at 9.20, 17.20, 23.20)

In cases where urgent consultation or help is required (sudden sharp decrease in vision, redness of the eye, pain, etc.), you should contact us immediately. After hours you can call 499-250-5090.

For your convenience, we offer a schedule for instilling drops after surgery by the hour.

Pterygium removal– surgical excision of a whitish film on the conjunctiva of the eye, called pterygium. At small size The defect can be treated conservatively, but radical removal of the formation can only be done surgically. Pterygium removal is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. In the classical method, the operation involves excision of the film and closing of the defect with healthy conjunctival tissue, which prevents relapse of the disease. At laser removal the affected area and the head of the pterygium are cauterized with a laser. After the operation, an antibacterial ointment is placed behind the patient's lower eyelid and a sterile napkin is placed over the eye. In most cases, the outcome of the operation is favorable, complications are rare, and the relapse rate is about 3-5%.

Methodology

Currently, there are two main methods of removing pterygium: traditional and laser. Each of them has its own subspecies and characteristics. The classic method is excision of the formation using a scalpel. After treating the surgical field with an antiseptic solution, an eyelid dilator is applied to the eye. Then local anesthesia is performed by subcutaneous injection of modern fast-acting anesthetics (ultracaine, procaine). Then the film is excised with a scalpel under the control of a microscope, and the conjunctival defect is sutured.

At this stage of the operation, there are two methods that have fundamental differences. In the first case, the pterygium is excised and sutured without plastic surgery of the defect. This option is used for a small volume of formation and quite often leads to relapse of the disease (24-89%). In the second method, the defect is plasticized using a graft. In this case, the resulting wound is covered with a conjunctival flap taken from under the upper eyelid and several stitches are applied. This method is more modern and helps prevent recurrence of pterygium (5-15%). At the end of the procedure, antibacterial ointment is applied and a sterile napkin is applied. The operation lasts 20-35 minutes depending on the chosen method and volume of intervention.

At the moment laser method removal of pterygium is considered the safest, most effective and least traumatic, allowing to reduce the frequency of relapses and complications. In the operating room as well as during classical method, the surgical field is treated, and an eyelid dilator is applied. Then, under the influence of a laser, both the pterygoid defect itself and its head are removed. If necessary, several sutures are placed on the conjunctiva. This operation lasts 15-20 minutes. At the final stage, antibacterial ointment is placed behind the eyelid and an antiseptic bandage is applied. The patient is recommended to remain under the supervision of clinic specialists for several hours to avoid the development of early postoperative complications. Upon returning home, the eye should remain bandaged until the next day; it is possible to change the aseptic dressing 1-2 times a day.

After removal of pterygium

IN postoperative period The patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory, antibacterial treatment for up to 10 days. Eye drops (mitomycin) are also currently used, which reduce the risk of relapses. In the first 14 days after surgery, you should not wet, rub or scratch the operated eye, or touch it with your hand. In order to protect your eyes from the irritating effects of bright light, wind and dust on the street, you must wear sunglasses. Sutures (if they were placed) are usually removed 5-7 days after removal of the pterygium. If the outcome of the operation is favorable and all the doctor’s recommendations are followed, the patient can begin work within 10-14 days.

Complications

Complications after this intervention, if medical recommendations are followed, are relatively rare. The most common of them is relapse of pterygium, however, modern methods of removing the film (laser surgery, suturing a conjunctival flap) can significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrence of the disease. Frequent complications also include lacrimation, a feeling of “mote” in the eye, pain, prolonged redness of the eye, and infection. Typically, the above symptoms disappear after a few days, after the postoperative wound has healed. Since the pterygium is richly fed by blood vessels, bleeding and the formation of a hematoma are possible, which resolves on its own within 2 weeks. In the first days after surgery, vision may be blurry, but over time (1-2 weeks) it improves, the final correction occurs 4 weeks after removal of the pterygium.

Cost of pterygium removal in Moscow

In the capital, this intervention is carried out in most multidisciplinary and ophthalmological medical centers in the city. The main factor determining fluctuations in the price of an operation is the choice of technique. For example, plastic surgery of a defect and the use of a laser double or more double the cost of the intervention. Also, prices for pterygium removal in Moscow are influenced by the volume of the operation, the duration of the manipulations, and the need for extensive preoperative examination. An important role in the cost of the service belongs to the location of the clinic, its level, the modernity of refractory devices, as well as the qualifications of ophthalmologists and microsurgeons.

All materials on the site were prepared by specialists in the field of surgery, anatomy and specialized disciplines.
All recommendations are indicative in nature and are not applicable without consulting a doctor.

Pterygium is an ophthalmic disease in which the well-supplied fold of conjunctiva that covers the cornea grows. Surgical removal of pterygium - main method fight against pathology.

The exact cause of pterygium has not been established, but it is known that it appears more often in people living in sunny and dusty regions, as well as in those who work outdoors and the sun. Of no small importance are low or too heat environment, toxins, chemical reagents in the atmospheric air. Genetic predisposition, infection with oncogenic viruses, and the presence of dry eye syndrome play a certain role.

Pterygium causes a visible cosmetic defect and is fraught with serious complications. It is a triangle in the inner corner of the eye, which consists of dystrophically changed mucous membrane, which slowly moves from the limbus towards the central part of the cornea.

In the mechanism of pathology development, an increase in the activity of cell division in the mucosa, as well as the abundant proliferation of the vascular network, is of great importance, therefore the purpose of surgical removal is not only to excise the tumor, but also to prevent the re-growth of active tissue.

The thin part of the fold that fuses with the cornea is called the head of the pterygium, and the conjunctival fragment, rich in vessels, is its body. A significant area of ​​the pterygium disrupts the refractive function of the cornea and creates a mechanical obstacle to the path of the light beam, causing vision to suffer. The pathology can affect one eye or both at the same time.

Pterygium can take a long time to develop, but in some cases it reaches the pupil in a matter of months. Patients usually come to an ophthalmic surgeon already in the second stage of the disease, when the width of the pathological fold reaches 4 mm. Among those who asked for help, twice as many were men, average age- 20-40 years old, that is, young able-bodied people have to be operated on.

Indications, contraindications and preparation for surgery

The reason for surgical excision of the pterygoid hymen is considered to be the very presence of pathology, a cosmetic defect created by a fold on the cornea, and especially advanced stages when vision suffers. Pterygium creates an increased risk of secondary inflammation and infection, so surgeons prefer to rid the patient of it.

Indications for pterygium removal:

• Diagnosed with stage 2 or 3 pathology;
• Rapid progression of grade 1 pterygium;
• The patient’s personal desire to get rid of mucosal proliferation, regardless of the particular course and stage.

Operation contraindicated persons with acute inflammation of the membranes of the eye, in the presence of herpetic infection in the acute stage. An obstacle may be an allergy to local anesthetics and refusal of surgery on the part of the patient.

The pterygoid fold grows from the limbus - the inner part of the eye up to one and a half millimeters wide, in which the mucous membrane and sclera are connected and due to which the corneal epithelium grows.

The pterygoid fold of the conjunctiva can only be removed surgically, Conservative treatment does not bring results, however, despite the abundance of surgical techniques, the risk of relapse is still quite high - up to 40%. Moreover, the relapse is more severe than the initially occurring pterygium. There are patients who experience numerous relapses, and the number of operations reaches a dozen or more.

In order to somehow prevent the recurrence of pterygium, ophthalmologists supplement traditional surgery with radiation therapy, treatment with antimetabolites, and transplantation of fragments of the patient's own mucosa or amniotic membrane.

Amniotic flaps help reduce the risk of recurrence, but can cause a serious immune reaction. Radiation therapy triples the risk of recurrence of pathology, but is risky for secondary glaucoma, clouding of the lens, perforation of the cornea, and softening of the sclera.

Preparation The operation includes a consultation with an ophthalmologist and a thorough examination, which consists of examination, biomicroscopy, coherence tomography of the eye, and determination of visual acuity. The patient undergoes standard general clinical tests, undergoes tests for HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, and blood clotting tests. An examination by a therapist is required, which excludes possible contraindications from the internal organs.

There are no dietary or fluid restrictions before surgery, but you will have to avoid any cosmetical tools and perfumes. You should not drink alcohol the day before; it is better to give up smoking for good. On the morning of the intervention, wash your face with plain water. It is worth bringing sunglasses with you to the clinic, which will be very useful on the way home.

Features of surgery for pterygium

The operation to remove pterygium does not require hospitalization and is performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia with special eye drops. It lasts about half an hour, possibly longer, depending on the technique chosen by the surgeon.

Operations for pterygium are carried out in two stages:

1. Separation of growths from the surface of the eye;
2. Excision or movement of the separated fold and closure of the resulting defect in the mucous membrane.

According to the degree of complexity of surgical intervention, all operations for pterygium can be divided into three main types:

• Interventions with removal of pterygium.
• Surgical relocation of the pathological fold.
• Plastic surgery of conjunctival defect.

Operations to remove pterygium - the simplest ones. Abroad, they are produced with the sclera exposed, cutting off the body and head of the formation and leaving an area of ​​exposed sclera. Regeneration occurs before the mucosa grows to the limbus. The operation would have been good if not for a relapse, which develops in 9 out of 10 people operated on.

The so-called closed scleral exposure differs from the technique described above in that the wound edges of the conjunctiva are fixed with several sutures. The risk of relapse is up to 70%.

The second type of operations are techniques with pterygium relocation without cutting it off. The most famous method is according to McReynolds. He gives relatively small percentage relapse - up to 12.5%. The operation includes several successive stages:

1. Treatment of the skin with ethanol and iodine, instillation of an antiseptic into the conjunctival sac, anesthesia with drops of dicaine;
2. Fixation of the eye with an eyelid speculum;
3. Anesthesia of pterygium tissue by injecting novocaine with adrenaline into it (the latter has the necessary vasoconstrictor effect);
4. Grasp the head of the pterygoid fold with tweezers and carefully separate the tissue from the cornea with excision of the main mass of the pterygium;
5. The conjunctival membrane is incised with scissors and separated to the lower fornix of the eyelid;
6. Apply a suture to the head of the pterygoid fold and turn it inside out into the pocket of the mucous membrane.

removal of pterygium according to McReynolds

The graft of the transplanted mucosa should not cover the cornea or leave a strip of open sclera; it is transplanted strictly onto the exposed limbus. The operation is completed by washing the conjunctival cavity with an antiseptic, placing tetracycline ointment behind the eyelids and applying a sterile bandage.

The described operation for pterygium is not without its drawbacks., the main of which are the so-called corneal syndrome and the inflammatory process, leading to subsequent relapse of pterygium. Corneal syndrome occurs in early dates after surgery due to erosion of the mucosa at the time of separation of the pterygoid fold from the cornea. Damage to small nerve fibers, pain, and spasm of the muscle fibers of the eyelids are the basis of corneal syndrome.

Another disadvantage of the McReynolds technique is that the limbus and pterygoid fold damaged by surgical incisions are not separated and cannot regenerate separately. Under such conditions, the healing mucous membrane can grow back into the corneal defect and relapse.

Suggestions from ophthalmic surgeons regarding the prevention of the described complications consist in the separation of the elements of the eye that have undergone surgical incisions, and the use of soft lenses covering the cornea, which is devoid of the epithelial layer.

Third group of operations for the removal of pterygium includes techniques with removal of the formation and subsequent plastic surgery of the mucous membrane with one’s own or donor tissue.

Removal of pterygium according to Arlt involves excision of the newly formed tissue, a section of the scleral mucosa and the application of several sutures to the wound edges of the mucosa. The disadvantage of the intervention is the removal of a section of the conjunctiva, which can significantly complicate reoperation in case of relapse, which develops in about a third of those operated on.

removal of pterygium according to Arlt

After removing the pterygium, foreign specialists perform plastic surgery using the patient’s own mucous membrane, which is cut out from different parts of the conjunctiva of the eyeball. Attempts are being made to use the femtosecond laser to obtain a mucosal graft. The probability of relapse is 40%.

Attempts to avoid recurrence led to the refusal of some surgeons to use any sutures. They fix the mucous flaps with special fibrin glue, which not only facilitates the operation and subjective discomfort after treatment, but also makes it less likely that the pterygium will re-grow compared to suture techniques. The disadvantages of fibrin glue are insufficient fixation and divergence of the wound edges, the possibility of cyst formation, and pain.

Surgical research aimed at improving long-term treatment outcomes continues. There is evidence of the use of extended conjunctival graft transplantation, in which the risk of relapse is almost zero, but such an operation is not yet widely used. It is possible to use the amniotic membrane "Flexamer".

Plastic surgery with your own mucosa or amniotic membrane after removal of pterygium can lead to complications, including:

• Impaired sensitivity of the superficial tissues of the eyeball;
• Inflammatory process.

It is easy to notice that any type of surgical treatment of pterygium is fraught, first of all, with relapse. This is the most common complication encountered by ophthalmic surgeons, and its risk depends on the method of surgery performed, individual characteristics the patient’s tissues, his lifestyle and type of activity. Defined value has the skill of a surgeon. According to statistics, the lowest risk of relapse comes from operations followed by plastic surgery of the mucosal defect using one’s own tissues.

Recovery after surgery

After surgery there is no need to stay in the clinic, so the patient can go home. It is better to be accompanied by someone close to you. You won't be able to drive. During healing, pain, pain in the eyes, discomfort during visual stress, and lacrimation may occur.

In the postoperative period, the patient continues treatment aimed at preventing relapse. Considering the mechanisms of pathology development, it is advisable to use radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Radiation therapy causes complications in the form of mucosal ulcerations and cataracts, so most experts are inclined to chemotherapy as safer and more effective. The patient is prescribed mitomycin C and cyclosporine A.

At home, the operated patient takes care of his eyes independently, instills anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and other drugs recommended by the attending physician. If possible, it is worth minimizing eye strain so as not to provoke excessive dryness of the cornea.

During the first two weeks, you should carefully monitor your eye hygiene. exclude the use of any cosmetics and foreign bodies, as well as water. Do not rub your eyes or touch them with your hands. To ensure proper and timely regeneration, you need to avoid exposure to bright sun, exposure to smoke and dust.

Recommendations regarding lifestyle, sun exposure, exposure to wind and dust apply not only to the rehabilitation period. They will need to be observed at all times. If pterygium often recurs, and this is associated with professional activities (hot workshops, dusty industries, Agriculture), it makes sense to think about changing jobs to maintain eye health.

Video: pterygium of the eye, surgical removal of pterygium

Video: pterygium in the program “Live Healthy!”

Wing-shaped formation is altered tissue of the cornea.
The appearance of growths is caused by excess proteins and fats in the body, excessive exposure to UV rays on the cornea, dust, and eye irritation from the wind.

Computer technology has a negative impact on the eyes. Often the cause is heredity.

Treatment

Pterygium is sometimes not a cause of concern. In some patients, the formation spreads over half the eye, affecting the central part of the cornea. Often there is dryness of the membrane and a feeling foreign body In eyes.
An effective method of treatment is radical. Removal of a tumor using laser cauterization is a new word in modern ophthalmology.
The operation is quite simple:

• The head of the pterygoid hymen is cauterized with a laser under the control of modern technology;
• The dried area is removed with a surgical instrument;
• Harm to the eyes is minimal.

After surgery, the patient uses eye drops and ointments to prevent the development of the inflammatory process in the operated eye. Pterygium of the eye may occur again after surgery. Relapses can be unpleasant.

Sometimes, to achieve a lasting effect, it is necessary to operate on the affected eye more than 2 times.

After surgery, protect your eyes with high quality UV blocking sunglasses.

Price

Operations in ophthalmology clinics are quite expensive. But, in order to preserve vision and maintain the quality of life at the same level, it is worth spending money. Laser treatment has good prospects.

The price of surgery to remove pterygium in clinics depends on whether or not subsequent autoplasty of the eye shell is performed (a small piece of cornea is sutured to the remaining part of the pterygium).
Average cost of removing a growth on the conjunctiva:

1. With autoplasty – 21.5 thousand rubles;
2. Without autoplasty – 15.0 thousand rubles.

Treatment with folk remedies

It is impossible to achieve a complete cure for pterygium using folk remedies. Do not listen to ignorant people telling stories about how the miracle ointment helped them.

Operation is the only effective way get rid of growths on the eyes.

You can’t just leave growing tissues like that. As long as the growths appear slowly and vision does not deteriorate, you should not touch the pterygium.

Artificial tear drops will help relieve dryness.

Traditional recipes, after mandatory consultation with an ophthalmologist, can be used to prevent inflammatory processes and eliminate dry eyes. Be sure to take medications that strengthen your vision.

Recipes

Berries or blueberry juice. Excellent product, preserving vision.

Carrots and carrot juice. Without carotene (provitamin A) contained in this root vegetable, it is impossible to maintain clear vision.

Chamomile decoction. For a glass of water - a tablespoon of dried flowers. Boil for 2 minutes. Rinse your eyes with the strained broth. A good anti-inflammatory agent.

Tea brewing. Rinse your eyes with brewed black tea. Refreshes the eyes, relieves fatigue.
Raw beet juice. Taking 100 g of freshly squeezed juice every day in the morning prevents the development of the disease.

Pterygium is an ugly growth on the skin that causes discomfort. Many people do not pay attention to this disease, considering it a cosmetic defect that does not require special treatment. But is this really so?

Pterygium is a disease of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane) of the eye, in which its tissue changes and grows on the cornea. Such growth most often occurs from the medial (inner) corner of the organ of vision. In most cases, both eyes are affected. Experts also call pterygium pterygium or pterygoid hymen. The formation has a triangular shape, gradually growing towards the pupil.

Pterygium is a wing-shaped formation

In addition to a cosmetic defect, the pterygoid hymen causes discomfort and ultimately reduces visual acuity.

The disease is more susceptible to older people, residents of northern and southern latitudes, as well as people whose eyes are constantly exposed to various irritants.

Pterygium: video

Classification of the disease: false and true pterygium

Pterygium is classified according to its origin, progression and clinical development.

There are primary (true) and secondary (false) pterygium. True occurs primarily in older people as a result of exposure to harmful factors on the mucous membrane of the eye. Secondary, also called pseudopterygium, develops as a result of cicatricial changes in the conjunctiva due to various injuries, surgeries, burns, and inflammations. False pterygium differs from true pterygium in that it does not progress and can be located anywhere in the eye.

Depending on the tendency to progression, there are:

Clinically, pterygium is divided into five stages depending on visual impairment, depth of ingrowth and developed astigmatism.

Why pathology occurs: development factors

The histological prerequisite for the development of pterygium is the same origin of the stratum corneum and conjunctival tissue. Hereditary predisposition plays a significant role in the occurrence of the disease.

Experts cannot name the exact reasons causing the pathology. There are factors that provoke the occurrence and progression of pterygium:

The occurrence of pterygium provokes chronic irritation of the eyes by harmful substances

The constant influence of harmful factors on the eyes provokes inflammation of the conjunctiva, changes in the epithelial layer of the outer layer of the eye and the proliferation of small blood vessels. Due to increased blood circulation in the eye shell, corneal keratocytes are activated - cells related to fibroblasts (the “building blocks” of the body’s connective tissue). They cause the proliferation of connective tissue, from which the pterygoid hymen is formed.

Symptoms of pterygium: degrees and stages of occurrence

At the very beginning, the disease does not manifest itself with any unpleasant symptoms. The first sign of pterygium is clouding of a small area of ​​the edge of the cornea, then a small formation appears in this place, which gradually grows.

As the hymen enlarges, the patient begins to be bothered by the feeling of a speck in the eye and persistent discomfort. These unpleasant symptoms occur due to irritation of the nerve endings on inner surface century. Constant dryness and burning are caused by a disruption in the formation of the physiological moisturizing film on the eye. The more the pterygium grows, the more severe the symptoms become. When the formation grows on the central part of the cornea, visual acuity decreases. Sometimes the pterygoid hymen becomes inflamed and then swelling of the conjunctiva, redness of the sclera, itching and lacrimation occur.

Pterygium of the eye stage 3

The pterygium has three parts: body, head and cap. The anterior flat edge or cap is the tip of the hymen and is composed of fibroblasts that germinate and destroy the corneal membrane. Behind the cap is a head with a developed network of small vessels, which tightly fuses with the cornea of ​​the eye. The body of the hymen is the largest mobile part of the pterygium.

The progressive form of the disease is characterized by a thickened head protruding above the surface of the cornea and a developed vascular network. Based on the condition of the vessels of the hymen, doctors determine its ability to grow:

There are five clinical stages in the development of the disease:

Diagnosis of pterygoid hymen

It is quite simple for an ophthalmologist to diagnose pterygium, since the hymen is well defined visually. Usually, the doctor performs ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy using a slit lamp, and keratotopography (scanning the surface of the cornea). These examination methods allow the specialist to determine the condition of the fundus of the eye, the level of astigmatism caused by the disease, as well as assess the lesion and the degree of fusion of the hymen with the stratum corneum.

Photo gallery: examination of the patient

Ophthalmoscopy - examination of the fundus of the eye Biomicroscopy using a slit lamp is used to examine different parts of the eyeball Keratotopography - examination of the surface of the cornea

Differential diagnosis

Pterygium should be differentiated from the following eye diseases:

Treatment of the disease: are folk remedies effective?

The only complete treatment for pterygium is surgery. Drug treatment Moreover, folk remedies cannot completely get rid of the problem.

Use of medications

Conservative treatment is prescribed to alleviate symptoms and slow down the growth of the pterygoid hymen.

The pterygium should be measured periodically to determine the rate at which the formation is growing: first every 3 months, then once a year.

To reduce eye irritation, artificial tear preparations are prescribed: drops Oxial, Hypromelose, Defislez, Slezin, Hilo-Komod, Visin, eye gels - Oftagel, Vidisik, Systein-gel.

For moderate or severe inflammation of pterygium, weak local steroid drugs are prescribed: fluoromethanol solution, loteprendol solution, Dexamethasone drops. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used: Diclofenac, Nevanac, Broxinac drops.

In some cases, Dexamethasone is prescribed as an injection into the body of the hymen in a two-time course of 10 injections with a one-month break. As a result, flattening and atrophy of the body of the ptegirium and disruption of its blood supply are observed. This therapy is indicated for the treatment of stage 1 disease.

To slow down the growth of the pterygoid hymen, the drug Emoxipin (Lakemox), a synthetic antioxidant, is used. For the same purpose, vitamin preparations are recommended - Choline, Riboflavin, instilled into the eye. These agents, by improving metabolic processes in the cornea, slow down the growth of pterygium. Injections of hyaluronidase inhibit the development of connective tissue, thereby helping to stop the growth of the hymen. This therapy is effective only for grade 1–2 of the disease; with severe severity of pterygium, it can only serve as an addition to surgical treatment.

Photo gallery: drugs for the symptomatic treatment of pterygium

Visine is prescribed to eliminate symptoms of dryness and irritation of the eyes. Drops Oxial - to moisturize the cornea.
Oftagel drops are prescribed to moisturize the cornea of ​​the eye Broxinac drops are necessary to relieve inflammation and pain Systane ultra drops to eliminate dry eye syndrome Diclofenac eye drops are prescribed to relieve inflammation
Emoxipine is prescribed to slow the growth of pterygium
Dexamethasone in eye drops has an anti-inflammatory effect

Surgical treatment: methods for removing pterygium

Surgical treatment is carried out both for cosmetic purposes and as necessary if the enlarged hymen has reached the optical part of the cornea, due to which vision is steadily declining and the patient experiences severe discomfort.

Contraindications to surgery to remove the pterygoid hymen:

Modern surgical ophthalmology can offer many techniques for removing pterygium. All of them are aimed at excision of formation. However, pterygium is prone to relapses, more aggressive than the initial case, so conventional tissue removal is ineffective.

Surgery to remove pterygium using layer-by-layer barrier keratoplasty

The technique of excision of pterygium tissue is often used, followed by closing the site of the pterygoid hymen with a conjunctival autograft (a section of healthy conjunctiva extracted from under the upper eyelid) or amniotic membrane. Sutures or special biological glue are used to secure the material to the wound.

Surgery to remove pterygium using an autograft

There is an interesting technique for preventing the recurrence of petrigium. The hymen is excised, a special film is applied to the “bare” area of ​​the sclera, which contains Mitomycin-c (an antitumor antibiotic) or 5-Fluorouracil (antimetabolite), it is fixed, and the rest of the wound is covered with healthy conjunctiva. A week after the operation, the film is removed. This method allows not only to avoid relapses, but also gives a good cosmetic effect due to complete epithelization of the wound.

Applications of 20% ethanol are also used to the body of the pterygium before removal and to the sclera after excision. This method is comparable in effectiveness to the use of Mitomycin, and healing of the cornea occurs even faster.

The operation itself is performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia and lasts about half an hour. 2 hours after the procedure, the patient can return home. The duration of sick leave is determined individually.

Surgery to remove pterygium with conjunctival plastic surgery using Alloplant: video

Postoperative period: precautions

After the intervention, the patient is given an eye patch, which must be worn until the next day and can be changed as it gets dirty. After its removal, it is necessary to instill medications prescribed by the doctor into the operated eye according to a certain scheme. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial agents and antimetabolites are prescribed:

The total duration of postoperative therapy is about 30 days.

Do not wet the operated eye for a week. It is recommended to wear glasses with protective ultraviolet filters for two weeks after the intervention. Physical activity is prohibited for the same period.

After surgery, the patient is usually bothered by visual impairment. If the procedure is successful, this function is restored within 5–7 days, sometimes this period lasts a month.

In addition to visual impairment, the patient has corneal syndrome after surgery:

Possible bleeding from the conjunctiva (immediately after surgery), swelling of the operated eye, redness of the eyeball (goes away in 1–2 weeks).

After 7 days, the doctor conducts a follow-up examination; you can begin work 10–14 days after the operation.

After the operation, it is necessary to instill eye drops with medications prescribed by the doctor according to a certain scheme.

In addition to traditional surgery to remove pterygium, doctors use laser treatment. With its help, the head of the pterygoid hymen is cauterized. This method is less traumatic and safer for the patient’s eyes. The recovery period after laser surgery is shorter and there are fewer complications.

Treatment prognosis and complications

The most common complications of progressive pterygium can be:

The following conditions are less common:

Therefore, it is necessary to remove the pterygoid hymen.

Possible complications after surgery:

Long-term complications after the use of cytostatics or radiation therapy may include thinning or ectasia (protrusion of an area) of the cornea or sclera.

Prevention of pathology: how to prevent relapse

Modern techniques make it possible to reduce the frequency of relapses after surgical removal of the pterygoid hymen to a minimum:

General prevention of the disease: