Pinguecula vs. Pterygium: How Can You Tell the Difference?
Key takeaways:
Pinguecula and pterygium are noncancerous growths that develop on the conjunctiva.
Pinguecula and pterygium can cause eye irritation, blurred vision, and redness. But many people don’t experience any symptoms.
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure can irritate pinguecula and pterygium, worsening symptoms.
Pinguecula (pronounced pin-GWEK-yoo-la) and pterygium (tuh-rij-ee-uhm) are difficult-to-pronounce words that describe noncancerous growths on the eye. If you’ve been diagnosed with either condition, here’s what you should know about these common eye growths.
What are pinguecula and pterygium?
Pinguecula and pterygium are growths that develop on the conjunctivae. The conjunctivae are the thin, clear membranes that cover the white parts of your eyes (sclera).
You can see a pinguecula or pterygium by looking at your eye in the mirror. These growths tend to form on the part of your eye that’s closer to your nose.
Pinguecula and pterygium are noncancerous growths. They don’t turn into cancer over time, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely harmless. Both can cause symptoms like eye redness and irritation. A pterygium may even affect your vision.
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It’s not clear why some people develop pinguecula and pterygium. But you’re more likely to develop one if your eyes are exposed to:
Ultraviolet (UV) light
Dust
Wind
Smoke
In fact, pterygium is also known as “surfer’s eye” or “farmer’s eye.” This is because people in these professions are more likely to develop it due to prolonged exposure to UV light.
What’s the difference between pinguecula vs. pterygium?
Pinguecula and pterygium share some similarities, but they differ in several ways.
Pinguecula and pterygium look different. You can usually tell which one you have by looking at your eye in the mirror.
A pinguecula looks like a small bump, usually yellowish in color. But it may also look off-white or grey. It has a well-defined round or oval shape.
A pinguecula may not cause any symptoms.
But some people with a pinguecula experience:
Eye irritation
Burning sensation in the eye
Temporary blurred vision, often while reading
Gritty sensation in the eye
Watery eyes
A pinguecula can also get inflamed, making it look red and swollen. An inflamed pinguecula may be painful.
A pterygium tends to have a less well-defined shape. It may look like a wedge or band that starts on the conjunctiva and grows toward the cornea — the clear covering over the front of your eye.
A pterygium contains blood vessels, so it can have a reddish color. It may also look pink or flesh-colored.
A small pterygium may not cause any symptoms. But as it grows, people may experience:
Eye irritation
Gritty sensation in the eye
Feeling like something is stuck in the eye
As a pterygium grows, it can cause blurry or distorted vision. This is because a pterygium can cover the cornea as it grows. It may also pull on the cornea, changing its shape. Your cornea helps focus light as it enters your eye. So, if a pterygium pulls on or covers the cornea, it can affect vision.
How are pinguecula and pterygium treated?
Some pterygia and pingueculae don’t need treatment. For small growths that don’t cause symptoms, your eye doctor may recommend:
If your pinguecula gets inflamed (pingueculitis), you may need to use prescription steroid eye drops for a few days. Steroid eye drops will calm the inflammation.
Both pinguecula and pterygium can be removed with surgery. But eye doctors typically recommend surgery only if these growths cause vision changes or other eye problems. You may also need surgery if your growth changes color or grows quickly. These may be signs of another problem, like ocular melanoma (a type of cancer).
Eye surgery is performed in an operating room with anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. But you’ll notice eye redness and discomfort after your procedure. It can take several days for these symptoms to go away.
It’s important to follow up with your eye doctor after surgery. They’ll make sure your eye is healing.
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A pterygium can grow back. So, it’s important to stay up to date with your yearly eye exams and protect your eyes from UV light if you’ve had a pterygium in the past.
How can you prevent pinguecula and pterygium?
You can lower your risk of developing a pinguecula or pterygium by protecting your eyes from UV light, wind, and dust.
Wear eye protection if you work in windy or dusty conditions. Always wear sunglasses that offer UV light protection when you’re outdoors. Not all sunglasses provide this protection. So, check the label on your sunglasses, which should report either:
100% UVA and UVB protection or
UV400 protection
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These lenses will protect your eyes from UV light and lower your risk of developing pingueculae and pterygia. UV light protection also lowers your risk of developing other eye conditions, like cataracts, keratitis, and ocular melanoma.
The bottom line
Pinguecula and pterygium are noncancerous growths that develop on the conjunctiva of your eye. They can cause eye irritation and redness. A pterygium can grow large enough to affect your vision. Exposure to UV light, wind, and dust increases your risk of developing these conditions. To lower your risk of developing pinguecula and pterygium, wear sunglasses with UV light protection whenever you’re outdoors.
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References
Al-Hashimi, S., et al. (2025). Pinguecula. EyeWiki.
Boyd, K. (2024). What is a pinguecula and a pterygium (surfer’s eye)? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Porter, D. (2024). What is ocular melanoma? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Sarkar, P., et al. (2023). Pterygium. StatPearls.
Somnath, A., et al. (2023). Pinguecula. StatPearls.
