Pterygium Surgery Houston
Not all pterygium require treatment or surgery, but if the scar-like tissue is causing loss of vision, discomfort, or is not responding to eye drops, you may be a candidate for pterygium surgery in Houston.
What is pterygium?
Pterygium, commonly known as “surfer’s eye”, are non-cancerous growths that begin on the white of your eye (or conjunctiva). They then spread across your cornea and eventually into your pupil, ultimately causing loss of vision and requiring removal by surgery. The exact cause of pterygium is not known, but its growth is believed to be influenced by UV damage to the eyes and other environmental factors such as dust, sand, and wind.
Continue reading: Can the Sun Hurt Your Eyes?
What is Pterygium Surgery?
Pterygium surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that generally only takes about 30-45 minutes per eye. If you have pterygium on both eyes, your procedures will be staggered by a few weeks to allow time for each eye to heal independently.
During the procedure, the pterygium is removed and replaced with a graft of conjunctival tissue from the white of the eye under your eyelid to ensure that the pterygium does not grow back in the exposed healing area. Local and general anesthetics are both employed for your comfort during the procedure, and an oral sedative is available should you feel particularly nervous. After the procedure, your ophthalmologist may apply a surgical eye patch to ensure an immediate start to the healing. You should arrange a ride home and plan to be there until the doctor says otherwise.
Recovery From Pterygium Surgery
What is the recovery time for pterygium surgery? While the techniques used vary majorly from those applied in LASIK eye surgery and laser cataract surgery, the recovery processes for most of these procedures are similar. As soon as the day after your surgery you will have a postoperative visit with your ophthalmologist to remove the surgical patch. You can expect some mild irritation, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision for the first couple of weeks, and eye redness that can last up to a couple of months.
As with LASIK recovery, if you plan for your recovery and keep in contact with your doctor you will have a much easier time. You will be given steroid eye drops and medication to mitigate pain if necessary. Use your eye drops and avoid rubbing your eyes. You can return to most of your normal activities such as driving and working within the first few days. However, full recovery can take a couple of months.
Risks and Prevention
Infections and complications during healing are rare. The biggest risk in pterygium surgery, either during the surgery or the recovery period, is the potential regrowth of the pterygium itself. Although the use of the autograft on the conjunctiva greatly reduces the chances of pterygia regrowth, there is still a small chance that the tissue will regrow.
To protect your eyes against the regrowth of pterygium you should:
- Wear sunglasses when outside to protect your eyes from UV damage.
- Use artificial tears to combat dry eyes.
- Wear protective goggles in particularly windy and dusty environments.
Prevention is important, yes. But the best way to protect yourself against the inherent potential risk of any surgery is to hire the best people. At Eye Center of Texas, Texas’ leaders in eye care, we have experts with proven track records in performing pterygium surgery safely and successfully. Your path to recovery could start now, with an Ophthalmologist in Houston that you can trust.
Common Questions About Pterygium Surgery
Can pterygium be removed without surgery?
Pterygium cannot be removed without surgery. However, not all cases require surgery. Pterygium often presents no symptoms if they have yet to interfere with the cornea or pupil. Once the conjunctival tissue covers your cornea and begins negatively impacting your vision, surgery is usually required.
What is the difference between pterygium and pinguecula?
Pinguecula, much like pterygium, is yellowish bumps or patches on the white of the eye that can cause irritation and redness. Pinguecula, however, does not grow across the cornea and is usually not harmful to your vision.
How much does pterygium surgery cost?
Pterygium surgery is generally covered by Medicare or insurance unless the procedure is being done for cosmetic purposes (i.e. if the growth is smaller and doesn’t require surgery.) Though cost should never be a determining factor when it comes to the health of your eyes and vision. We can help find a solution that works for your financial needs.
Eye Center of Texas offers pterygium surgery in Houston
The surgeons at Eye Center of Texas are world-class and we work hard to stay on top of technological and surgical technique advancements. This allows us to personalize a procedure that will be the right fit for your unique needs.
Think you may be a candidate for pterygium surgery in Houston? Schedule an appointment to make cloudy vision a thing of the past.
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What Causes Presbyopia?
What causes presbyopia (aka over age 40 vision)? This is a common question amongst patients around age 40 or older. Do you have the need to wear a pair of reading glasses when flipping through the newspaper or your favorite book? Do you have to hold your phone far away from your face to read the text on the screen? This inability to read something up close is called presbyopia.
Presbyopia is a condition caused by the natural aging process of your eyes during which an individual begins to lose the ability to focus visually on nearby objects. The lenses in our eyes begin to lose flexibility around age 40 and become hardened, which makes it more difficult to see objects that are nearby. For more information on presbyopia and how it is diagnosed, view our article on What is near vision?
Though this condition is becoming more common amongst adults, there are several means of presbyopia treatment to alleviate symptoms.
Symptoms of presbyopia
Presbyopia does not have many cut-and-dry symptoms. To put it plainly, if you have to hold your phone screen far away from your face to read a text message, it’s likely you have presbyopia. Eyestrain and headaches when doing close-up work or struggling to read small print are also common symptoms.
Presbyopia can occur regardless of your vision history and affects all races and genders. Because presbyopia is caused by aging, it has been nicknamed the “over age 40 vision.” Even if you haven’t experienced eye problems in the past, all eye doctors recommend getting checked for presbyopia as you turn 40.
How do you fix presbyopia?
Can you prevent presbyopia? No, presbyopia is caused by the natural aging process. Receiving regular eye checkups before and after you turn 40 increases your chances of having healthy eyes for longer. However, there are treatment options available for alleviating the symptoms.
Many people choose to wear bifocals to correct their near vision, but there are some patients who prefer to live life glasses-free. In that case, we would recommend eye surgery. Eye Center of Texas offers simple surgery options for presbyopia treatment:
- Refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a procedure in which a doctor replaces your eye’s natural lens with a synthetic one (an intraocular lens) which can help treat presbyopia. This is a more common method for treating near vision problems.
- Conventional LASIK surgery is not performed to cure presbyopia; however, there is a specific LASIK for presbyopia procedure called Monovision LASIK in which one eye (typically your dominant eye) will be corrected while the other eye is is made partially nearsighted (also known as blended vision LASIK). Find out if you’re a good candidate for LASIK procedure on our website.
The advanced technology at Eye Center of Texas is designed to improve vision problems in aging eyes. It’s never too late or too early to start thinking about presbyopia treatment.
Our experts at Eye Center of Texas are here to help you find presbyopia relief.
Now that you’re aware of what causes presbyopia, the staff at Eye Center of Texas is here to help you with any questions and presbyopia treatment options you may need. We have years of experience treating eye diseases and vision issues with only the safest, most advanced cataract surgical techniques and technology.
Give us a call at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online at any of our convenient locations today.
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Ophthalmologists in Houston You Can Trust
The Houston Ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas have been helping Houstonians improve their eye health and vision for over 30 years. We proudly offer cutting-edge treatments and services for cataracts, LASIK, near vision (presbyopia), glaucoma, macular degeneration, keratoconus, other retina and cornea disorders, and eyelid surgery.
With our 6 convenient locations in Bellaire, Sugar Land, Katy, Pasadena, Clear Lake, and The Woodlands/Conroe, we are able to give thousands of individuals the state-of-the-art treatment and patient-centered care they deserve every year.
Read on to learn more about our exceptional team and services, then come and see why over 300 Houston-area eye doctors refer their patients directly to Eye Center of Texas!
Meet our experienced ophthalmologists in Houston
Each and every one of our Houston ophthalmologists is board-certified and has specialized in particular aspects of eye health. Over the years, our doctors have pioneered new, safer treatments for patients.
Whether you are looking for an ophthalmologist in Katy, Houston, or elsewhere in the greater Houston area, you can rest assured that at Eye Center of Texas you will always be treated by top-tier doctors with years of experience in their field.
- Dr. Mark L. Mayo has been recognized repeatedly as a top doctor in Houston and was one of the first surgeons in Houston to offer bladeless cataract surgery. He is ranked as one of the nation’s top 10 cataract surgeons for a number of procedures using the LenSx Laser.
- Dr. Edward C. Wade was also one of the first surgeons in Houston to offer bladeless cataract surgery, has been designed by VISX as one of the top 100 LASIK surgeons in the country, and is recognized as having more experience with the ReSTOR IOL than any other surgeon in Houston.
- Dr. Paul J. Stewart specializes in vitreoretinal surgery and ocular oncology. He is the previous director at UCSF’s Ocular Oncology Service, one of the premier ocular oncology practices in the States.
- Dr. Nicholas Bell specializes in the medical, laser, and surgical management of glaucoma. He has been recognized as a Top Ophthalmologist in Houston by the International Association of Ophthalmologists.
- Dr. Larry Puthenparambil specializes in macular degeneration and the medical, laser, and surgical management of vitreoretinal disorders. He is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Retina Forum.
Wondering, “Should I see an optometrist or ophthalmologist?” Get the answers you need in our article, What’s the Difference Between an Ophthalmologist and an Optometrist?
Ophthalmology services at Eye Center of Texas
Our eye doctors keep up-to-date with the latest literature and innovations in their fields so that our patients always receive the best treatment options available.
LASIK & cataract surgery treatment
Eye Center of Texas has earned a special reputation for providing some of the best LASIK in Houston and best cataract surgery in Houston. This is because the quality of the equipment used during surgery and the experience of your surgeon can play an important role in the successful outcome of your procedure, and Eye Center of Texas not only invests in top-of-the-line equipment, but our Houston ophthalmologists are also leaders in their fields.
Near vision (presbyopia) treatment
Most individuals will experience presbyopia, the age-related hardening of your lens also known as “near vision,” to some extent during their lifetimes (typically after the age of 40). Eye Center of Texas offers the latest in near vision treatment that allows our patients to stay or become independent of glasses and contacts.
Eye disease treatment
The eye is a highly complex organ and contains many components that can develop diseases or disorders. Eye Center of Texas provides thorough and patient-centered eye disease treatment for retina issues, cornea issues, and more. Our specialists will work closely with you to monitor your eye health and offer you treatment solutions using the latest, cutting-edge technology and medicine.
Eyelid surgery
Excess skin and/or fat that causes your upper eyelids to hang over your eyes can impede vision, cause chronic irritation, and even make you look more tired than you feel. Our upper eyelid surgery in Houston (Blepharoplasty) can rid you of these frustrating vision problems while simultaneously providing you with a rejuvenated appearance.
Our ophthalmologists in Houston are here to help you get the information and treatment you need
At Eye Center of Texas, our Houston ophthalmologists are not just leaders in the field of ophthalmology — we are avid Houstonians. We are active members of this city and the surrounding area and therefore take special pride in helping our community find relief from eye diseases and see more clearly with improved vision.
If you are experiencing vision or eye health problems and want to work with an ophthalmologist in Houston you can count on, consider joining the Eye Center of Texas’s family of patients.
Call us at 713-797-1010 for medical services, 713-395-1515 for LASIK, or simply request an appointment online today.
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Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
LASIK/Near Vision:
Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
Pasadena
4415 Crenshaw RoadPasadena, TX 77504
Medical Office:
281-977-8800
Medical Fax:
281-977-8877
Sugar land
15400 S.W. Freeway, Suite 301Sugar Land, TX 77478
Medical Office:
281-277-1010
Medical Fax:
281-277-4504
Clear Lake
455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
Medical Office:
281-332-1397
Medical Fax:
281-282-9152
Katy
Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620
