ing-shaped, vascular, fleshy growth that origi nates on the conjunctiva “little wing”) is -
and that can spread to the corneal limbus and beyond. Pterygia are relatively
common in the general population and
typically follow an indolent course,
with changes in appearance but little
effect on vision and the eye itself. Because early pterygia are usually asymptomatic, there has been little research
on their natural history and treatment,
and most ophthalmologists commonly
consider them an insignificant problem until the lesions encroach on the
visual axis. There has been no consensus on the appropriate management of
pterygia.