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Enjoy the Waves, But Watch Out for Surfer’s Eye!
Posted by: Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute in Uncategorized
Ever hear of surfer’s eye? It’s a real condition and at Florida Eye our doctors have seen it and treated it, time and time again.
Technically known as pterygium, it’s actually a mass of fleshy tissue that grows over the cornea (the clear front window of the eye). It may remain small or may grow large enough to interfere with vision. A pterygium most commonly occurs on the inner corner of the eye, but it can appear on the outer corner as well.
The exact cause of pterygia is not well understood. But these growths do occur more often in people who spend a lot of time in the sunny outdoors, as surfers do. Exposure to sunlight – especially to ultraviolet (UV) rays, and chronic eye irritation from dry, dusty conditions seem to play an important role. Dry eye also may contribute to pterygium.
Learn the symptoms and treatment options.