Why is Your Eye Discolored?

Have you noticed a discoloration or bump on your eye’s white area? Do your eyes have a constant bloodshot? Well, you can have an eye condition called farmer’s eye or surfer’s eye.  

Pterygium and Pinguecula are the 2 eye conditions that are related to what you’re experiencing now. It will become clear why these conditions are called farmer’s or surfer’s eye after you understand the causes.  

Since one can develop from the other, pterygium and pinguecula are associated with each other. However, though they’re both not cancerous, one can become a severe eye illness that results in loss of vision, while the other might just be irritating at times.  

Both of these conditions are growths on the eye’s conjunctiva. It’s the thin layer of tissue that covers the eye’s white portion. It’s ideal to look for an “eye doctor near me” as soon as you can if you noticed any of the signs below. 

Causes of Pinguecula 

There might be no signs if the growth is minor. However, the film of tears that usually lubricates your eyeball does not evenly spread over this elevated bump since pinguecula growth is deposits of calcium or fat that have formed. This will cause an irritating feeling or dry eye. You’ll typically feel that there’s something in your eye. In addition to that, it can also result in stinging, itching, and burning sensation. It can make it hard for you to wear your contact lenses. Furthermore, the irritation can also cause your eyes to have a bloodshot appearance.  

In general, unless it becomes inflamed into pingueculitis, pinguecula does not require treatment. If you want to treat the irritation of dry eyes, you can purchase over-the-counter artificial tears. You might also be prescribed with corticoid eye drops in the case of pingueculitis. But, while this will lower the inflammation, it will not get rid of the growth.  

Difference Between Pterygium and Pinguecula 

Oftentimes, these 2 conditions are grouped under the common nickname of farmer’s eye or surfer’s eye. The reason for this is that the symptoms and causes are similar. However, typically, pinguecula is simply a cosmetic problem. On the other hand, a pterygium can have severe complications that can cause vision loss if not properly treated.  

A pterygium growth might begin as a pinguecula. However, it will affect vision if it grows to cover the cornea. Also, it can change your eye’s refractive power and can encourage astigmatism. 

Treatment 

You can use mild anti-inflammatory drops and/or artificial tear supplements to lower symptoms if you’ve got mild to moderate pterygia. A professional might recommend surgically removing the excess tissue if the condition becomes extremely big. However, a pterygium can come back even with full removal.  

Surgery for this condition will get rid of the growth. Then, the professional will stitch a tissue from a placenta into the vacant part left by the growth. Usually, the surgery will last for 30 up to 45 minutes. You might have to wear an eye patch after the surgery to aid recovery.