Pterygium removed

I have a mild one and it doesn't bother me. I'm of the mind that if it doesn't affect me let it go. I wouldn't worry about your clients either. Keep 'em guessing Stony.

goofy had one removed late last year cause it felt like it had sand in it all the time and was very annoying so went and had it done.......takes about 6 weeks to settle down but im glad i had it done ......you will have to see a specialist and go to a good one,having it removed wasn't as bad as i thought you know scalpel heading towards your eye ball and all those stories people tell ya ...5% chance it will grow back .

dont worry about it if its not bothering you

I had both eyes Pterygiums done at the same time in Singapore 3 years ago.
After 48 years of surfing, 24 in WA, my Pterygiums had grown over the pupils and I had the permanent stoned, hungover look as well as them being constantly insanely itchy.....Eye drops didn't do much to alleviate the itch or flaring redness. Must admit, mine were pretty well advanced.
The op was about 2 hours under anesthetic with a few hours of observation following the procedure, but discharged the same day.......They actually grafted a small patch from the white over the scars where the growths were removed.
Coming out of the anesthetic was bloody uncomfortable and half blindly stumbling out of the hospital to get a taxi home was a challenge.....took 2 weeks to settle down and about a month for the redness to disappear altogether...
All in all, very glad I had them done when I did......
Worked out about $7000 for the specialist and surgery, but the Singapore health system is pretty hexy.....

Goofyfoot, if the pterygium is constantly inflamed and irritating it can be removed. The procedure described by megzee is known as a conjunctival auto graft and results in a much better outcome and lower rates of recurrence than the procedures done years ago. These days you don't have to wait until it has reached a certain size before having it removed, especially if it is bothering you. You will need to see an ophthalmologist and will need a referral from either your GP or an optometrist. I think a local optometrist would know which ophthalmologist in your area is the best at performing this procedure. If you want to check it out just Google conjunctival auto graft for more info and perhaps also search for an ophthalmologist that specialises in corneal procedures in your area. Hope this helps...

Hey Goofy.

My experience: Had pterygiums in both eyes, the left one severely aggravated by a quick session at overcast 3-4ft Impossibles that turned into 5 hours of sunny 6-8ft. I just couldn't go in, but I should have.

Anyhoo, I finally had the left eye done 4 years ago. Local topical anaesthetic, then under the knife (well, they're tiny scissors) 15min later, and after a 15min op I was done. No stitches, just a patch cut out from the top of my eyeball and glued in place. Could have driven home, but Ms Island Bay was there to assist.

I was told I'd feel miserable for a few days, but I was up and about straight away, reading a book that same evening, and never in pain.

Went for a surf 3-4 weeks after, wearing a cap and sunnies.

Cost me NZ$3000, and I reckon that's a bargain.

Good luck, buddy!

Edit: I see a really good optometrist once a year to check on my eyesight and more importantly the health of my eyes. $90 for an hour of tests, and the guys knows me and my cooked eyes.

Got mine done ,feels a lot better ,went on waiting list for a year & got it done for free ,otherwise $3k