If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and noticed a pink, fleshy wedge growing from the white of your eye toward your pupil, you’re not alone. This isn’t a scratch, an infection, or a weird mole-it’s pterygium, commonly called ‘Surfer’s Eye.’ And while it sounds harmless, it can quietly steal your vision if left unchecked. The truth? It’s not rare. Around 12% of men over 60 in Australia have it. In places near the equator, that number jumps even higher. And it’s not just surfers. Anyone who spends time outdoors-gardeners, construction workers, cyclists, even commuters walking to work-can develop it. The culprit? Sunlight. Not just any sunlight, but ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This isn’t a myth. It’s science. And the good news? You can stop it in its tracks-or fix it-if you know how.

What Exactly Is a Pterygium?

A pterygium is a growth of the conjunctiva-the clear, thin membrane covering the white part of your eye-that creeps onto the cornea, the clear dome in front of your iris. It starts small, often looking like a harmless red spot near the nose side of your eye. Over time, it can grow into a triangular flap, sometimes reaching all the way to your pupil. It’s not cancer. It won’t spread inside your body. But it can mess with your vision.

When it grows over the cornea, it distorts the shape of your eye’s surface. That’s when blurry vision, astigmatism, or even double vision can start. You might also feel grit, burning, or constant irritation-like sand is stuck in your eye. In advanced cases, wearing contact lenses becomes impossible. About 60% of people with pterygium have it in both eyes, especially if they live near the equator or spend a lot of time outside without eye protection.

Doctors diagnose it with a simple slit-lamp exam-a bright, magnified light that lets them see exactly how far the growth has traveled. No blood tests. No scans. Just a look. That’s why so many cases go unnoticed until they’re already bothering you.

Why the Sun Is the Main Culprit

UV radiation is the number one cause. Not just UVB-the kind that gives you sunburn-but UVA too, which penetrates deeper. Studies show people living within 30 degrees of the equator have 2.3 times higher risk of developing pterygium than those in northern or southern latitudes. That’s why Australia has the highest rates globally, with 23% of adults over 40 affected.

Research from the University of Melbourne found that if your total UV exposure hits 15,000 joules per square meter over your lifetime, your risk jumps by 78%. That’s roughly the amount you’d get from 20 years of daily outdoor work without sunglasses. And it’s cumulative. Every hour adds up.

It’s not just about being outside-it’s about being unprotected. A 2021 study showed that outdoor workers in tropical areas have a 30% chance of developing pterygium, while those who wear proper UV-blocking sunglasses cut that risk nearly in half. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV rays still reach your eyes. Snow, water, and sand reflect UV light, making exposure worse. That’s why skiers, fishermen, and beachgoers are at high risk.

Genetics might play a small role-some families seem more prone to it-but environmental exposure accounts for 85% of cases. If your dad had it and you’re out in the sun all day, you’re not just inheriting a trait-you’re inheriting a risk that’s still under your control.

How Fast Does It Grow?

There’s no set timeline. Some pterygia stay tiny for years. Others creep forward at 0.5 to 2 millimeters per year. That might not sound like much, but if it grows just 1 millimeter over your cornea, it can already cause noticeable blurriness. The growth rate depends on how much UV you’re exposed to. If you keep going without protection, it will likely keep growing. If you start wearing sunglasses and a hat every day, many cases stop progressing entirely.

One Reddit user, ‘OutdoorPhotog,’ shared that after switching to UV-blocking sunglasses, his pterygium didn’t grow at all over two annual check-ups. That’s not luck. That’s prevention working.

What’s the Difference Between Pterygium and Pinguecula?

People often confuse the two. A pinguecula is a yellowish bump on the white of the eye, usually near the nose. It’s made of protein, fat, and calcium deposits. It stays on the conjunctiva and never reaches the cornea. That’s the key difference. Once it crosses onto the cornea, it’s officially a pterygium.

Pinguecula is way more common-up to 70% of outdoor workers in tropical zones have it. But it rarely affects vision. Pterygium, though less common, is the one that threatens sight. Think of pinguecula as a warning sign. If you have one, you’re already at higher risk for pterygium. Protect your eyes now, before it moves.

Surgical Options: When and How It’s Done

If your pterygium is small and not bothering you, you don’t need surgery. Eye drops, artificial tears, and sunglasses are enough. But if it’s growing toward your pupil, causing blurry vision, or making contact lenses unbearable, surgery becomes the next step.

There are three main surgical approaches:

1. Simple excision: The growth is cut out. Cheap and quick. But without extra treatment, it comes back in 30-40% of cases. That’s why it’s rarely used alone anymore.
2. Conjunctival autograft: The surgeon removes the pterygium and replaces it with a small piece of healthy conjunctiva taken from under your eyelid. This is now the gold standard. Recurrence rates drop to just 8.7%.
3. Mitomycin C or amniotic membrane: Mitomycin C is a medication applied during surgery to stop abnormal cells from regrowing. It cuts recurrence to 5-10%. Amniotic membrane-taken from donated placental tissue-is used for recurrent cases and has shown 92% success in preventing regrowth, according to 2023 European guidelines.

Surgery usually takes less than 40 minutes. You’re awake but numb. Most people go home the same day. Recovery? You’ll have redness, watering, and mild discomfort for 2-3 weeks. Steroid eye drops are needed for up to six weeks to reduce swelling and prevent recurrence. One patient on RealSelf said the drops were harder than the surgery itself.

What Works Best? The Data Says This

Let’s compare the most common surgical methods:

Autografts are the most widely used because they’re effective, safe, and don’t rely on drugs. Mitomycin C works well but carries a small risk of corneal thinning if overused. Amniotic membrane is newer and excellent for repeat surgeries, but it’s more expensive and not available everywhere.

Prevention: The Real Game-Changer

Here’s the truth: Surgery fixes the problem-but it doesn’t stop it from coming back. The only way to truly win is to prevent it in the first place.

Wear sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays. Look for the ANSI Z80.3-2020 standard on the label. Wraparound styles are best-they stop UV from sneaking in from the sides. A wide-brimmed hat cuts UV exposure by another 50%.

Don’t wait until you see a growth. Start now. Even if you’re 25 and think you’re fine. UV damage builds silently. One study showed that people who wore UV-blocking sunglasses daily for five years had 50% less progression than those who didn’t.

Also, avoid direct sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV levels peak. Check your local UV index. If it’s above 3, protect your eyes. That’s true even in winter or on cloudy days.

What’s New in Treatment?

The field is evolving. In March 2023, the FDA approved OcuGel Plus-a new preservative-free lubricant designed specifically for post-surgery healing. It reduced discomfort by 32% compared to standard drops.

Researchers are testing topical rapamycin, a drug that blocks the cells responsible for regrowth. Early trials show a 67% drop in recurrence at one year. If approved, it could become a daily eye drop to prevent pterygium from coming back after surgery.

By 2027, most eye surgeons expect to use laser-assisted removal. It’s faster, more precise, and causes less trauma. But it’s not widely available yet.

Who’s at Risk? The Hidden Groups

It’s not just surfers or farmers. Men are 1.5 times more likely to develop it than women-likely because they spend more time in outdoor jobs. Rural populations in developing countries have almost no access to surgery. Only 12% get treated, compared to 89% in urban areas of wealthy nations.

If you’re a construction worker, a fisherman, a gardener, a cyclist, a skier, or even a parent who takes kids to the park every weekend-you’re at risk. It doesn’t matter how dark your skin is. Your eyes are still vulnerable.

What to Do Next

If you’ve noticed a pink or red growth on your eye:

• See an eye doctor. Don’t wait. A slit-lamp exam takes five minutes.
• Start wearing UV-blocking sunglasses daily-even indoors if you sit near a sunny window.
• Get a wide-brimmed hat. It’s cheap and effective.
• If your doctor says it’s early-stage, stick with eye drops and protection. Don’t rush to surgery.
• If it’s growing toward your pupil, ask about conjunctival autograft or mitomycin C. Avoid simple removal.
• Track your UV exposure. Use apps like UVLens or check your local weather service’s UV index.

There’s no magic cure. But there’s a clear path: protect your eyes, get checked, and act early. Pterygium isn’t an emergency. But if you ignore it, it can become one.

Don’t wait for blurry vision to act. Your eyes are exposed every day. Protect them like you protect your skin-from the sun, from the wind, from time. Pterygium isn’t inevitable. It’s preventable. And if it’s already there? You still have control. The right treatment, the right protection, and the right timing can keep your vision clear for decades.