Growths on the White of the Eye — Pinguecula and pterygium

At Eyecare Center of Orange County, Dr. Alexander Bonakdar has cared for patients for more than three decades. Trained at Bascom Palmer, board certified, and trusted by more than ten thousand Orange County patients since nineteen ninety one.

A yellowish raised patch on the white of the eye, usually on the side nearest your nose, is thickened tissue from years of sun, wind and dust.

The one that matters is the one that starts creeping onto the clear cornea. That is called a pterygium, and it can distort your vision as it advances.

Ultraviolet light is the main driver, which is why this is so common in people who spend years outdoors. Good sunglasses genuinely slow it down.

We remove these when they threaten vision or stay persistently inflamed. Appearance alone is rarely a good reason, because they can grow back.

Ask us to measure how far it has advanced. We photograph it, so any change is obvious at your next visit.