What is a Pterygium?

A pterygium is a fleshy growth which starts on the conjunctiva and grows across part of the cornea.  It typically develops in individuals who live in hot climates and spend a lot of time outdoors.  It likely represents a response to chronic dryness and ultraviolet exposure.  When a pterygium becomes red or irritated, eye drops or ointments may be used to help reduce the inflammation.  If these traditional treatments are not sufficient to reduce symptoms or if the pterygium is large enough to threaten sight, it can be removed by surgical excision.  After the pterygium is excised there is still a chance of regrowth.  To reduce the chance of regrowth there are several techniques that have been successful.  Conjunctival auto-grafting is a technique that uses tissue from a different part of the patient’s own eye to cover the area of the excised pterygium and amniotic membrane transplantation uses tissue acquired from the innermost layer of a human placenta.  In addition to these treatment options, recurrence rates can be further reduced by protecting the eyes from sunlight with the proper ultraviolet protection and using lubrication when exposed to dry conditions.

Help for Glaucoma with Micro Stents During Cataract Surgery

Massachusetts Cataract Surgeon Francis D’Ambrosio Jr., explained how patients with cataract and glaucoma can actually have their glaucoma treated during cataract surgery with tiny implantable micro stents. “In the U.S., over 20% of patients undergoing cataract surgery have a concurrent diagnosis of glaucoma, which represents approximately 700,000 patients each year,” explained Dr. D’Ambrosio Jr. “If you are being treated for glaucoma, have cataracts and might need cataract surgery there is an additional glaucoma treatment option called Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) that utilizes tiny stents to help control the eye pressure or intraocular pressure,” he further explained. Most patients with glaucoma are treated with eye drops to lower their pressure, have laser treatments for glaucoma ad if necessary have surgery for glaucoma treatment. The problem with eye drops for glaucoma is that patient compliance is often not consistent and may be as low as 50% after the first year-thus additional treatment options such as laser treatment for glaucoma of MIGS might be a better way for some patients to keep their eye pressure under control.

If you or someone you know has cataracts and glaucoma and is considering cataract surgery, you might wish to learn more about Microinvasive glaucoma surgery with stents by scheduling an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 that serve the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area.