Pinguecula vs. Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye): How to 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.

A 3D illustration of the eye highlighting the cornea, pupil, and lens.

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.

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.

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:

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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.

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

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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Written by:

Nishika Reddy, MD

Nishika Reddy, MD, is an attending physician at the University of Utah. She provides comprehensive and cornea medical care at the Moran Eye Center and serves as clinical assistant professor.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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