Pterygium: What It Is, How It Affects Your Eyes, and What You Can Do

When your eye starts to develop a fleshy, triangular growth on the white part, it’s often pterygium, a benign overgrowth of conjunctival tissue that can creep toward the cornea. Also known as surfer’s eye, it’s not cancer, but it can blur your vision, make your eye feel gritty, and look alarming—even if it doesn’t hurt much at first. This isn’t just an aging issue or something that happens to beachgoers. People who spend time outdoors in sunny, windy, or dusty environments—farmers, construction workers, even commuters without sunglasses—are at higher risk.

Conjunctival tissue, the thin, clear membrane covering the white of the eye, normally stays smooth and flat. But when it’s constantly irritated by UV light, dryness, or wind, it can start to thicken and grow abnormally. That’s pterygium. It often starts near the nose and slowly extends inward. If it reaches the cornea—the clear front part of your eye—it can distort your vision, like a windshield with a crack that won’t go away. And while some people live with it for years without issues, others find it gets worse over time, especially without protection.

What makes this tricky is that many don’t realize it’s preventable. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat outdoors cuts your risk dramatically. It’s not just about comfort—it’s about stopping the growth before it starts. And if you already have it? Eye drops can help with redness and irritation, but they won’t shrink it. Surgery is the only way to remove it, but even then, it can come back unless you change your habits. That’s why so many of the posts below focus on practical eye care: how to protect your vision, recognize warning signs, and avoid treatments that don’t work.

You’ll find guides here on managing eye irritation, understanding environmental triggers, and even how certain medications or supplements might affect eye health. Some posts talk about how UV exposure links to other eye conditions. Others show how to spot early signs before a doctor’s visit. And a few explain why over-the-counter drops sometimes make things worse if used too long. This isn’t about fear—it’s about knowing what’s normal, what’s not, and what you can actually do to keep your eyes clear and healthy.