The Risks and Side Effects of Pterygium Removal Surgery
If you have a pterygium, timely treatment will help prevent any further issues that can occur if it continues to grow. Pterygium removal surgery is an effective method that can help patients who are experiencing irritation, redness, or vision concerns due to their pterygium – and, of course, prevent further growth of the condition.
Like with any eye surgery, the possibility of side effects occurring will need to be carefully considered. Ophthalmologists who operate at Valley Eye Specialists in Brisbane will assess the condition of your eyes, and any personal health conditions you have, to evaluate your personal risks.
They will then explain the risks and side effects of pterygium removal surgery and the steps to follow to minimise risks, so that you can have a good understanding of what you can do to prevent side effects from occurring.
In the meantime, before you have your consultation, we’ll explain the possible risks and side effects of pterygium removal surgery so that you can know what to expect.
Firstly, what is a pterygium?
A pterygium is a tissue overgrowth from the white of the eye onto the clear cornea, which can affect one or both eyes. It is often caused by excessive sun exposure, particularly in young adults in sunny Queensland. The growth can either remain stable or extend across the eye, potentially leading to vision problems.
You can usually see that you have a pterygium, but other symptoms can include irritation, such as itching or burning, redness, and inflammation. The pterygium typically appears as a triangular, fleshy growth on the cornea.
How do I know if I have a cataract?
If you notice that your vision has become blurry or cloudy, that you’re seeing cloudy spots, have double vision, a heightened sensitivity to light, seeing halos around lights, or have difficulty seeing at night or in dim lighting, these can all be symptoms of a cataract.
Those who have cataracts may also notice that they need to update their prescription for glasses or contact lenses more frequently due to changes in eyesight that cataracts can cause.
Even though early symptoms might start subtly, with mild blurriness or light sensitivity, they can eventually progress to more significant visual disturbances. This is why we recommend seeing an ophthalmologist for a consultation, even when you think your symptoms are quite mild.
Early on, blurry vision may initially seem like looking through a foggy window, and double vision can begin to make everyday tasks challenging. Light sensitivity might make it uncomfortable to be in bright environments, and seeing halos around lights can impair night driving.
While these are common symptoms of a cataract, they may also indicate that you are experiencing another type of eye condition. Therefore, it is important to have a thorough eye examination to properly identify any issues and to correctly diagnose a cataract.
What is pterygium removal surgery?
Pterygium removal surgery is performed to excise a pterygium, surgically removing the tissue growth.
The goal of the surgery is to reduce symptoms such as irritation, redness, inflammation, and vision impairment caused by the growth. Steps can also be taken to prevent the reoccurrence of the condition, such as a conjunctival autograft, where a piece of healthy conjunctival tissue from another part of the eye is transplanted into the affected area.
Ophthalmologists who operate at Valley Eye can surgically remove a pterygium – in particular, Dr Juanita Pappalardo performs the P.E.R.F.E.C.T (Pterygium Extended Removal Followed by Extended Conjunctival Transplantation) technique. The technique further reduces the chance of a pterygium reoccurring after surgery.
Minor side effects after pterygium removal surgery: The recovery stage
Straight after the procedure, the patient can experience some side effects. These side effects are short-lived (usually lasting only a few weeks) and can usually be managed with recovery instructions.
Minor side effects can include redness, inflammation and discomfort, which eye drops can help to soothe. Eye drops can also prevent further complications.
Further complications: Side effects that may require medical attention
While the chance of further side effects will be minimised as much as possible, it’s important to be aware of them and the signs that they may have occurred.
Firstly, the risk of infection, as with any surgery, is a possibility after pterygium removal surgery.
Any surgical procedure that involves incisions carries a risk of introducing bacteria into the eye, which can lead to infection. Symptoms of an eye infection can include redness, swelling, pain, and discharge. If an infection does occur, it will generally require prompt medical treatment with antibiotics to prevent further complications and preserve vision.
There is also a chance that the minor side effects that can be experienced during recovery will persist for longer. If prolonged discomfort does occur, your ophthalmologist can provide you with advice on further recovery instructions. Dry eye is another common postoperative issue, as the surgery can affect tear production and distribution, leading to symptoms like itching, burning, and a sensation of a foreign body in the eye.
Scarring is also a possible side effect of pterygium removal. The surgical area may develop scar tissue, which can cause discomfort and, in some cases, affect vision if the scarring is extensive. This can lead to issues such as astigmatism, where the curvature of the eye is altered, resulting in blurred vision. Scar tissue can sometimes require additional surgical intervention to correct.
Finally, there is a small risk of vision changes following pterygium removal surgery. Although the procedure is intended to improve vision by removing obstructive growth, complications such as corneal thinning, scarring, or infection can potentially impair vision.
Before, during and after surgery, your ophthalmologist will take steps to prevent these complications from occurring. During your consultation, you will be able to discuss the possibility of these complications occurring in further detail.
The reoccurrence risk: When a pterygium returns after surgery
Generally, pterygium removal surgery carries the risk of recurrence. However, this risk is quite rare, at less than one in 1,000 cases.
Pterygium, a benign growth on the conjunctiva, can reappear after surgery, sometimes more aggressively than before. This recurrence is often influenced by factors such as exposure to UV light, dust, and wind, which can irritate the eye and stimulate regrowth. In some cases, the recurrent pterygium can be more difficult to treat, requiring additional surgeries.
However, at Valley Eye, Dr Juanita Pappalardo performs the P.E.R.F.E.C.T technique, which minimises the risk of reoccurrence even further.
The P.E.R.F.E.C.T technique thoroughly and cautiously removes the affected tissue, before using a large, healthy piece of conjunctival tissue from another part of the same eye to cover the area where the pterygium was removed. The graft is typically larger than the standard graft used in other techniques, and can be very effective in preventing reoccurrence.
The technique also emphasises precision and high attention to detail, minimising trauma to the surrounding tissues and promoting healing and proper integration of the graft after surgery.
The importance of monitoring your healing progress
As well as following your recovery instructions, you’ll need to make sure that you let your ophthalmologist or doctor know if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms.
Throughout your recovery, it’s important not to ignore prolonged discomfort, any signs of infection, or any concerning changes in your vision.
After your surgery, you’ll need to visit your ophthalmologist for routine check-ups (usually around three visits) over the following 12 months. Your check-ups will give your ophthalmologist the opportunity to spot any concerning symptoms and act on them promptly with the right course of treatment.
Brisbane’s Valley Eye Specialists: Pterygium removal surgery with a lower reoccurrence rate
At Valley Eye, you can undergo pterygium surgery with a highly trained and experienced ophthalmologist.
Dr Juanita Pappalardo
Trained by Professor Lawrence Hirst, the pioneer of the P.E.R.F.E.C.T (Pterygium Extended Removal Followed by Extended Conjunctival Transplantation) technique, Dr Juanita Pappalardo can perform pterygium removal surgery with a low reoccurrence rate.
With its precision and attention to detail, the technique can also minimise other risks and side effects of the surgery. Applauded for her performance in Ophthalmic Pathology in Australia and New Zealand, Dr Pappalardo was awarded the prestigious Filipic Greer Medal. As well as completing extensive training in ophthalmology, she has recently been published in international journals in the field of ocular genetics. Not only is Dr Pappalardo involved in research within the field, but she also actively participates in registrar teaching, all while performing high-quality eye surgeries in Brisbane.
To organise your consultation for pterygium removal surgery, please feel free to get in touch with our team! Our team can help you assess your eye condition for an accurate diagnosis and then proceed to undergo the right method of treatment.