Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Surfer’s eye gets its name from three contributing factors that surfers tend to be overexposed to, namely sun, wind, and dust. Symptoms include eye redness, a sensation of something in your eye, and blurred or distorted vision. Most cases can be treated with artificial tears and eye protection, though larger growths may need to be surgically removed.
This article describes the symptoms and causes of surfer’s eye, including how this relatively benign eye condition is diagnosed, treated, and prevented.
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What Surfer’s Eye Looks and Feels Like
Some cases of surfer’s eye—especially minor cases—may not cause any symptoms until the growth is large enough to see or feel.
When symptoms do appear, they typically include:
If the pterygium grows onto your cornea (the transparent part of your eye covering theirisandlens), you may experience blurring or visual distortions such asdiplopia(double vision).
What Causes Surfer’s Eye?
Surfer’s eye is a relatively benign condition. Although it is named after surfers, beachgoers aren’t the only ones who can get it.
Common causes of pterygium include:
Anyone can develop surfer’s eye, but some groups are affected more than others due to lifestyle, location, or other factors.
Risk factors include:
How Is Surfer’s Eyes Diagnosed?
If you start to develop symptoms of surfer’s eye—especially any growths on the eyeball—ask for a referral to an eye specialist called anophthalmologist.
They’ll be able to diagnose your condition based on a review of your medical history and a physical exam. This includes an examination of your eye with a lighted magnifying scope called aslit lamp.
Based on the results of the eye exam, the ophthalmologist can grade the severity of your condition. This helps direct the appropriate course of treatment.
Pterygium grades are classified as:
In the event of a high-grade growth, a computerized technique called corneal topography can make a 3D map of the surface of your eye. This may be indicated if your vision is impaired and surgery is needed.
Can Surfer’s Eye Cure Itself?
Most cases of surfer’s eye don’t require extensive treatment. In fact, minor cases don’t require treatment at all.
To reduce eye irritation and inflammation, your healthcare provider may prescribe various eye drops, including:
If the growth is unsightly, causes significant discomfort, or affects your vision, surgery may be recommended.
Two common approaches, both performed underlocal anesthesia, include:
How to Prevent Surfer’s Eye
There are simple steps you can take toprotect your eyesand avoid getting surfer’s eye:
Summary
Surfer’s eye (pterygium) is a benign growth that develops on the eye due to excessive exposure to UV radiation and irritants like wind and dust. Dry eyes also contribute. Symptoms include eye redness, irritation, a feeling of grit in your eye, and a pinkish growth on the surface of your eye.
Mild cases may resolve on their own. Over-the-counter and prescription eye drops can help ease symptoms. Severe cases may require surgery to remove the growth.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim KW, Kim JC.Current approaches and future directions in the management of pterygium.Int J Ophthalmol. 2018;11(5):709–711. doi:10.18240/ijo.2018.05.01Ginger-Eke H, Ogbonnaya C, Ezisi C.Pterygium: recent trends and perspectives—a review of pathogenesis and current management options.Nigerian J Ophthalmol. 2018;26(2):89. doi:10.4103/njo.njo_5_18Rezvan F, Khabazhoob M, Hoshmand E, Yekta A, Saatchi M, Hashemi H.Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Surv Ophthalmol.2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-735. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.03.001Additional ReadingAmerican Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Pterygium.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Is a Pinguecula and a Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye)?
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kim KW, Kim JC.Current approaches and future directions in the management of pterygium.Int J Ophthalmol. 2018;11(5):709–711. doi:10.18240/ijo.2018.05.01Ginger-Eke H, Ogbonnaya C, Ezisi C.Pterygium: recent trends and perspectives—a review of pathogenesis and current management options.Nigerian J Ophthalmol. 2018;26(2):89. doi:10.4103/njo.njo_5_18Rezvan F, Khabazhoob M, Hoshmand E, Yekta A, Saatchi M, Hashemi H.Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Surv Ophthalmol.2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-735. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.03.001Additional ReadingAmerican Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Pterygium.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Is a Pinguecula and a Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye)?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kim KW, Kim JC.Current approaches and future directions in the management of pterygium.Int J Ophthalmol. 2018;11(5):709–711. doi:10.18240/ijo.2018.05.01Ginger-Eke H, Ogbonnaya C, Ezisi C.Pterygium: recent trends and perspectives—a review of pathogenesis and current management options.Nigerian J Ophthalmol. 2018;26(2):89. doi:10.4103/njo.njo_5_18Rezvan F, Khabazhoob M, Hoshmand E, Yekta A, Saatchi M, Hashemi H.Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Surv Ophthalmol.2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-735. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.03.001
Kim KW, Kim JC.Current approaches and future directions in the management of pterygium.Int J Ophthalmol. 2018;11(5):709–711. doi:10.18240/ijo.2018.05.01
Ginger-Eke H, Ogbonnaya C, Ezisi C.Pterygium: recent trends and perspectives—a review of pathogenesis and current management options.Nigerian J Ophthalmol. 2018;26(2):89. doi:10.4103/njo.njo_5_18
Rezvan F, Khabazhoob M, Hoshmand E, Yekta A, Saatchi M, Hashemi H.Prevalence and risk factors of pterygium: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Surv Ophthalmol.2018 Sep-Oct;63(5):719-735. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.03.001
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Pterygium.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Is a Pinguecula and a Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye)?
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Pterygium.
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