3 Signs You May Have An Eye Disease Called Pterygium
Do you work outside in the sun and wind? Have you rarely worn sun protection on your eyes over much of your life? If you now suffer from constant red eyes, you may have a more serious budding condition that requires an eye exam and further treatments from your eye doctor. To find out if you have the eye disease known as pterygium, consider if you have experienced the following three symptoms:
1. Your eyes feel like they are on fire.
Do your eyes always appear bloodshot and red? Do they burn most of the time? Pterygium can affect the way tears flow (or don't flow) across your eyes, leading to constant dry eye. Constantly dry eyes can lead to headaches, as well as the feeling that your eyes are aflame. If your eyes never see relief, you'll need to get some medicated eye drops from your eye doctor.
2. Your eyes feel gritty or itchy.
Do your eyes constantly feel gritty or itchy, like you've got a bunch of eyelashes stuck in them? Do you blink excessively, as if trying to rid yourself of said eyelashes? If so, pterygium might be to blame.
3. You notice growths appearing on one or both of your eyes.
Do you notice that the whites of your eyes appear as if there is a pink film over them? If you are having trouble seeing in the corners of your eyes when you check in the mirror, ask a loved one to look at your eyes. Have them start at your nose and then pan their glance over to side of your eyes closest to your ears. A pterygium is essentially a pinkish red growth that spreads over the white part of your eye. It can extend to cover your iris and pupil. As a result of the growth affecting the shape of your eyes, your vision can also become blurred.
A Few Final Thoughts
You've discovered that you may have a pterygium growing on one or both of your eyes. Now what? The good news is that in most cases, the pterygium can stop growing on its own. However, because it can cause pain and irritation, it is best to consult with your eye doctor on a treatment that will specifically benefit you. Your eye doctor will tailor your treatment to your specific eye health. Call an experienced eye doctor, like those at Las Vegas Family Eye Care, today to help you decide on your next course of action regarding treatment.
