Early detection and timely treatment of pterygium

Pterygium is one of the common eye diseases in our country, especially in people who are often exposed to sunlight, wind, dust, polluted environment... If not detected and treated promptly, the disease can progress and cause vision loss, affecting daily life and work.

Doctor Bui Thai Dat, Head of the General Ophthalmology Department, Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital, examines and prescribes treatment for a patient with pterygium. Photo: An Yen

Specialist Doctor I Bui Thai Dat, Head of the General Ophthalmology Department, Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital (Tam Hiep Ward, Dong Nai Province) said: Pterygium is a condition in which connective tissue and blood vessels develop abnormally from the conjunctiva (white of the eye) and gradually spread to the cornea (black of the eye), often appearing in the inner or outer corner of the eye. In the early stages, the patient may see a thin ivory-white or pale pink membrane at the edge of the cornea. The disease progresses slowly but continuously over time, the pterygium can spread deep into the center of the cornea, obscuring the pupil, causing astigmatism or reduced vision.

People with pterygium often feel dry, itchy, red eyes, blurred vision, especially when exposed to sunlight or working outdoors a lot. In some cases, pterygium develops quickly, thickens, deforms the corneal surface and seriously affects vision if not treated properly.

According to Dr. Dat, depending on the severity of the pterygium, the doctor will have appropriate treatment methods such as medication or surgery to remove the pterygium.

Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital has applied modern pterygium surgery techniques such as: pterygium excision and autologous conjunctival grafting to minimize the risk of recurrence. After surgery, patients will be instructed on proper eye care and medication use as prescribed to help the incision heal quickly and achieve high aesthetic results.

To prevent pterygium, people should wear sunglasses when going out in the sun, wear wide-brimmed hats, limit exposure to dust and strong winds; clean eyes regularly with saline; do not arbitrarily use eye drops or folk remedies without a doctor's prescription.

More importantly, people should have regular eye check-ups, especially when experiencing symptoms such as prolonged red eyes, a burning sensation, or the pterygium spreading to the black of the eye, etc., for early diagnosis and treatment.

Peace

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202510/phat-hien-som-va-dieu-tri-kip-thoi-benh-mong-thit-6e872d9/