Medical Questions & Answers

Question: I would appreciate your opinion on the cause of a pterygium in the eyes. Some say it is glare, others sand or other foreign matter in the eyes. How is this condition caused, and how do you prevent it?
A pterygium is a fleshy overgrowth of the white part of the eye (cornea) that grows across the colored part of the eye (iris). They develop very slowly over many years, but once they are half way across the iris, they should be removed in a simple operation to avoid growth across the pupil and blindness.
Pterygium are very common in Australia, but more so in the north than the south, as they are caused by recurrent mild sunburn to the cornea. The irritated tissue overgrows, and spreads across the eye. Farmers, sailors, drivers, outdoor workers and sports people are most prone to pterygium as glare and sun exposure are the prime cause. The problem can be prevented by wearing good quality (polarized) sun glasses.
A pterygium may become irritated, red and itchy at times. Simple drops available from chemists will ease this problem. Once present they will remain until removed surgically. There are no drops that will make them go away.

Question: My mother is having a vitrectomy. What sort of operation is this?
The eye contains a clear jelly-like substance called the vitreous. If this becomes discolored, the vision in that eye will be remarkably reduced, possibly to the point of blindness.
The most common cause of discoloration of the vitreous is bleeding into the eyeball. This can occur in high blood pressure, diabetes and injury. In the last few years, a very delicate operation has been devised in which the blood-stained vitreous can be removed from the eye and a new artificial substance substituted, allowing normal vision again. It is performed under a general anaesthetic by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) who has had specialist training in this procedure.

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