UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: What's the Diagnosis? Case by Dr. Jason Brown

Posted: 7/15/2013 by Haney Mallemat, MD
Click here to contact Haney Mallemat, MD

Question

46 year-old female presents with a headache. The following is seen on visual inspection of the eye. What's the diagnosis?

Answer

Pterygium

Benign wedge-shaped fibrovascular proliferation extending from sclera to nasal portion of cornea
Sometimes confused with pinguecula (both are benign)
Symptoms range from none, to eye irrigation/redness, to visual impairment (if crosses visual field)
Risk factors (UV-light exposure, male gender, and genetic predisposition)
Treatment
- Supportive (artificial tears or short-course topical steroids)
- Surgical excision, if:
  - discomfort
  - crosses visual-field
  - cosmetic reasons
Prevent by blocking UV light from eyes (e.g., sunglasses)

Six-word Summary: Cornea, benign, UV, supportive, surgery, and sunglasses

Bonus Pearl

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References

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