Pterygium Surgery

This involves the removal of conjuctiva which has grown over the surface of the cornea. A local anaesthetic is used to put the eye to sleep. The growth is excised and a small section of normal conjunctiva from the operated eye is used to close the area which contained the pterygium.

Before surgery:

The day before pterygium surgery, the hospital will advise you of the appropriate arrival time.

On the day of surgery:

We ask that you be accompanied by a friend or relative who will be able to drive you there and back. If you are unable to arrange for transport, we may be able to help make alternative arrangements. Wear lose fitting clothes and DO NOT apply any make-up for surgery. The operation takes about 45 minutes.

What to expect after surgery:

You may notice a ‘scratchy’ sensation. Don’t be alarmed, the scratchiness is coming from the stitches used for the graft to stay in place. This will improve in 2-3 days. There may be some discomfort and it may require medication such as Paracetamol/ Panadiene. If you need stronger painkillers, please contact your surgeon on the number provided to you.  

Post operative care:

You will be given a prescription by your eye surgeon, you will need to purchase 2 different types of eye drops. Please remember to wash your hands and put one drop of each bottle 4 times a day in the operated eye. Also remember to shake the bottles before you put them in. There is no order in which you need to instill the drops, just make sure that drops are put in 5 minutes apart. An example of times:

Bottle 1: 8:00 am, 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Bottle 2: 8:05 am, 12:05 pm, 4:05 pm and 8:05 pm