Traditionally, Pterygium surgery involves complete excision of the Pterygium combined with conjunctival auto-grafting.During the procedure, the Pterygium is removed and the gap in the conjunctiva left by the removal of the Pterygium is filled with a thin tissue transplant from the conjunctiva underneath the upper eyelid.
The graft is held in place with fine sutures. The purpose of an autograft is to cover the bare area and act as a barrier to reduce recurrence.
The latest advancement in Pterygium surgery is “Sutureless (No-stitch) Pterygium Surgery”. This technique is similar to the traditional approach except no stitches are used to hold the autograft in place.
Instead, modern tissue adhesives made of human clotting proteins are used. The adhesives dissolve in a week with no residues and promote faster recovery.
In certain cases, an anti-scarring drug (in the form of an eye drop) may be used following the excision to minimise the recurrence of Pterygium.