Pterygium and Pinguecula are common eye growths. They are usually benign in nature. A pinguecula is a yellowish bump or patch present on the eye white. It is mostly found in area closest to the nose. Basically it is an alteration of normal tissue which results in the deposition of fat and protein. Also exposure to ultra violet rays (UV rays) from sunlight may cause pinguecula.
A pterygium is a sudden growth that penetrates the cornea of the eye. Cornea is the clear and transparent part of the eye. This is an eye abnormality in which the conjunctiva grows into the cornea. Pinguecula is different from pterygium as it does not actually grow into the cornea.
Description of Pinguecula and Pterygium
Although pinguecula and pterygium sound like some arcane diseases, they are actually common benign eye conditions. They form lesions which appear as fleshy growth or white-yellowish bump on the exposed conjunctiva. If the patch or bump appears on the eye white, then it is called a pinguecula. Whereas if growth is seen in the cornea, it is called a pterygium.
Sometimes people confuse these lesions with malignant tumors because these lesions look like sudden tissue growths. But in reality, it is a degenerative process. It does not lead to any serious consequences such as blindness or serious loss of vision. In most cases, pterygia and pingueculae grow at a very slow pace. They rarely cause any significant problems.
Generally people who are out in the sun for prolonged periods with no eye protection are highly prone to these eye growths. Usually these growths are seen in older people. But children who spend a lot of time outdoors are also at a high risk.
