UV-related conjunctival lesions; pinguecula is a yellowish bump that spares cornea, pterygium grows onto cornea and can affect vision.
Also known as: pterygium, pinguecula, surfer's eye
Overview
Pinguecula is a benign, yellowish-white, elevated conjunctival nodule, typically at the nasal limbus, that does not cross onto the cornea. Pterygium is a triangular, fibrovascular growth of conjunctival tissue that EXTENDS ONTO the cornea, classically from the nasal side.
Epidemiology
Strongly associated with chronic ultraviolet light exposure. Highest prevalence in equatorial latitudes and in outdoor workers ('surfer's eye,' 'farmer's eye'). Pinguecula is extremely common in older adults. Pterygium prevalence in latitude bands less than 30 degrees can exceed 20%. Male predominance, peak ages 30-50.
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Genetic predisposition (some Pacific and Asian populations)
Older age
Pathophysiology
UV radiation damages limbal stem cells and the underlying connective tissue, leading to elastotic degeneration of conjunctival collagen. Pinguecula results from focal degeneration without corneal invasion. Pterygium represents proliferation of activated limbal stem cells with vascular fibroblastic ingrowth that breaches Bowman membrane and invades the corneal stroma, often dragging surface inflammation and tear film disturbance behind it.
Clinical presentation
Symptoms
Often asymptomatic, especially small pinguecula
Foreign body sensation, dryness, intermittent burning
Cosmetic concern
Pterygium may cause blurred vision through induced astigmatism, visual axis encroachment, or disruption of the tear film
Episodic inflammation (pingueculitis or pterygium inflammation) with redness and irritation
Signs / physical exam
Pinguecula: yellowish-white, slightly raised, well-circumscribed conjunctival lesion at the nasal or temporal limbus; does NOT touch the cornea
Pterygium: triangular, fibrovascular tissue extending onto the cornea, usually nasally, with the apex pointing toward the visual axis
Stocker line — iron deposition in the corneal epithelium at the leading edge of an advancing pterygium
Induced astigmatism (with-the-rule) measured on corneal topography
Restricted ocular motility in very large pterygia (rare)
Classic findings
Triangular fibrovascular lesion extending onto the nasal cornea in a patient with chronic UV exposure.
Differential diagnosis
Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia / squamous cell carcinoma — Gelatinous, leukoplakic, or papillary growth at limbus with feeder vessels; older patient with sun exposure; biopsy if atypical
Conjunctival nevus — Pigmented, well-circumscribed conjunctival lesion present since childhood/adolescence; no corneal invasion
Conjunctival melanoma — Pigmented, often raised lesion with feeder vessels in older patient; biopsy
Pseudopterygium — Adhesion between conjunctiva and cornea after chemical or mechanical injury; can be lifted off the cornea on probing (true pterygium cannot)
Phlyctenular conjunctivitis — Small, inflamed, raised nodule near limbus in patient with hypersensitivity (tuberculosis, staphylococcal); responds to steroids and antibiotics
Pyogenic granuloma — Rapidly growing red friable mass after surgery or chalazion incision
Bitot spots (vitamin A deficiency) — Foamy white triangular conjunctival lesions in malnourished patients; bilateral
Diagnostic workup
Diagnostic criteria
Clinical diagnosis by slit-lamp examination. Distinguish pterygium (true corneal invasion) from pseudopterygium (post-traumatic adhesion) by probing — a true pterygium is fused to the cornea and cannot be lifted off.
Labs
Not routinely required
Imaging
Slit-lamp biomicroscopy — primary diagnostic tool
Corneal topography to quantify induced astigmatism, particularly preoperatively
Anterior segment OCT for lesion depth in atypical cases
Biopsy any lesion with atypical features (leukoplakic surface, rapid growth, prominent feeder vessels, pigmentation) to exclude ocular surface squamous neoplasia or melanoma
Artificial tears for surface lubrication and tear film stabilization (preservative-free in chronic use)
Topical decongestant or short-course topical NSAID (ketorolac 0.5%, nepafenac) for episodic inflammation
Mild topical steroid (loteprednol 0.5%, fluorometholone 0.1%) for acute pingueculitis or inflamed pterygium — short course with IOP monitoring
Reassurance and observation for asymptomatic lesions
Second-line / adjunct
Surgical excision is indicated for: visual axis encroachment, significant induced astigmatism, chronic intractable inflammation, restricted ocular motility, or cosmetic concerns refractory to conservative measures
Bare sclera excision alone has unacceptably high recurrence (greater than 50%); current standard is excision with conjunctival autograft, often with amniotic membrane
Mitomycin C intraoperative or postoperative as an antifibrotic adjunct for high-risk or recurrent disease (used judiciously due to potential complications)
Beta irradiation has been used historically but is now uncommon due to long-term complications
Complications
Recurrence after surgical excision (5-15% with conjunctival autograft, up to 50%+ with bare sclera technique)
Corneal scarring with vision loss in advanced disease
Astigmatism with reduced visual acuity
Restricted ocular motility (uncommon)
Diplopia after extensive surgery
Scleral melt or surface complications from adjunctive mitomycin C
PANCE pearls
Pinguecula spares the cornea; pterygium invades the cornea — that single distinction determines management.
Most pingueculae and small pterygia require only UV protection and lubrication — not surgery.
A 'pterygium' that grows rapidly, develops leukoplakia, or has prominent feeder vessels should be biopsied to exclude ocular surface squamous neoplasia.
Stocker line indicates that the pterygium is actively advancing.
Conjunctival autograft has supplanted bare-sclera excision because of much lower recurrence.
References
AAO PPP — American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern: Cornea/External Disease (relevant section on pterygium)
Cochrane — Cochrane Review: Surgery for primary pterygium
AAO BCSC — American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic and Clinical Science Course: External Disease and Cornea
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