Who is Suitable for No-Stitch Pterygium Surgery?

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Video Transcript

Who is suitable for no-stitch pterygium surgery?
Hi, I’m Dr Rylan Hayes, specialist pterygium surgeon here on the Sunshine Coast. The simple answer: if you have a pterygium or a pinguecula that is
causing you problems — whether that’s cosmetically, in terms of comfort, redness, or affecting your vision — you may well be a suitable candidate. From a clinical standpoint, I look at the size and position of the growth, whether it’s progressing, how much of the cornea is involved, and what your symptoms and goals are. There is no one-size-fits-all threshold for when surgery is appropriate — it’s a decision made together, based on your individual circumstances. It’s a decision made together, based on your individual circumstances. My Signature No-Stitch Pterygium Surgery is available to adults with a pterygium or pinguecula. All procedures carry risk, and suitability is confirmed through a one-on-one consultation. I’d encourage you to take our symptom quiz as a first step, and then come and see me to discuss your eye.

Who is Suitable for No-Stitch Pterygium Surgery?

Determining suitability for pterygium surgery is an individual assessment — there is no universal threshold at which surgery becomes necessary. What matters is the combination of your clinical findings and your personal goals. Here’s how Dr Hayes approaches this assessment.

General eligibility

Signature No-Stitch Pterygium Surgery by Dr Rylan Hayes is available to adult patients with a diagnosed pterygium or pinguecula. There is no upper or lower age limit as such, though the assessment of surgical timing takes the patient’s age, the growth’s behaviour, and likely progression into account.

Clinical factors that support surgical recommendation

• Size and progression — a growing pterygium that is advancing toward the corneal visual axis may require surgery to protect vision, even if symptoms are currently mild
• Degree of corneal involvement — pterygia that have grown significantly onto the cornea and are inducing irregular astigmatism are strong candidates for surgical intervention
• Degree of visual impact — if the pterygium is affecting best-corrected visual acuity or producing significant symptomatic astigmatism, surgery is clinically indicated
• Symptom burden — persistent discomfort, foreign body sensation, dry eye, or recurrent inflammation that is inadequately managed with drops supports a surgical discussion
• Cosmetic impact — visible redness and growth affecting confidence and quality of life is a valid and recognised indication for surgery
• Hidden concerns — rarely a type of skin cancer (ocular surface squamous neoplasia – OSSN) may be disguised and look like a pterygium.

Contraindications to consider

• Active ocular surface infection or severe uncontrolled dry eye may need to be addressed before surgery
• Allergy to fibrin tissue adhesive components (Tisseel) should be discussed, similarly religious or personal reasons for
• Blood-borne conditions affecting the suitability of blood-derived products should be disclosed at consultation

What about pinguecula?

A pinguecula that is not extending onto the cornea but is causing persistent symptoms or significant cosmetic concern may also be surgically addressed.

Next step

Suitability is confirmed through examination and a one-on-one consultation with Dr Hayes. All procedures carry risk. The symptom quiz on this website is a helpful starting point.

Key Takeaways

• Adults with pterygium or pinguecula may be suitable candidates — there is no universal threshold
• Clinical factors supporting surgery include progression, corneal involvement, vision impact, and symptom burden
• Cosmetic concern is a valid surgical indication
• Individual suitability is confirmed through consultation and examination with Dr Rylan Hayes

Think surgery might be right for you?

Take our symptom quiz or book a consultation with Dr Rylan Hayes at The Vision Surgeon, Maroochydore.

References

• American Academy of Ophthalmology. Pterygium — Preferred Practice Pattern. aao.org
• Ang M, et al. Conjunctival autograft for pterygium surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021.