Fleshy Outgrowth Of The Conjunctiva: What Is It?
The fleshy outgrowth of the conjunctiva is also called a pinguecula or pterygium. It is a swelling of tissue that protrudes from the conjunctiva, and which can put your eye health at risk, although in general it is not a serious condition.
It should be borne in mind that the surface of the eye is directly exposed to the external environment. For this reason, it is subject to the impact of sunlight and air pollution. These factors play a decisive role in the appearance of fleshy ocular growths.
Precisely for this reason, fleshy growths of the conjunctiva are more frequent in tropical areas. The strong solar radiation in these regions exposes anyone to a greater risk of developing any of these conditions.
Fleshy outgrowth of the conjunctiva
The fleshy outgrowth of the conjunctiva can be defined as an abnormal growth of the ocular conjunctiva tissue. The latter is a thin and transparent membrane that covers the sclera , or the white part of the eye, and also the inner area of the eyelid.
The outgrowth has the appearance of a triangular or circular protuberance, of varying size. It extends from the conjunctiva to the cornea. Sometimes, it has the appearance of a kind of whitish veil on the inner or outer edge of the cornea.
If the eye growth takes the form of a small white ball, full of fat, it is called a pinguecula. If, on the other hand, it begins to extend reaching the pupil, also reaching the cornea, it is called pterygium. In both cases, these are benign formations which, however, can disfigure the appearance of the eye.
Features
Ocular fleshy growths are classified, in principle, according to size:
- They can be small, and not cause serious discomfort.
- It is also possible that they are medium in size and, if so, they can cause some discomfort.
- If they are large, they will most likely affect vision as well.
On the other hand, this type of condition also ranks according to the degree of inflammation it presents. In this case, we find two types:
- Atrophic, where the growth is thin and without symptoms.
- Fleshy or inflamed, red in color, it is thick and causes various symptoms.
The most common symptoms caused by fleshy growths of the conjunctiva are:
- Redness of the eyes.
- Frequent itching or burning.
- Pain, defined as stinging.
- Blurred vision, to a greater or lesser extent.
- Foreign body sensation in the eye.
Causes of the fleshy outgrowth of the conjunctiva
As in other cases, science does not exactly know the causes of fleshy ocular growths. However, the factors that facilitate its appearance have been identified, which are:
- Exposure to ultraviolet rays: continuous exposure to the sun, without eye protection, facilitates the appearance of this condition.
- Exposure to environmental elements: Wind, heat, dust, dryness and smoke also contribute to the formation of these growths.
- Dry eye syndrome : Sufferers are more likely to develop fleshy growths.
- Sleep abnormalities : If a person stops getting enough sleep, for long periods, they will tend to develop this type of abnormality.
The factors mentioned all point to a lack of adequate eye lubrication. This, in turn, leads to dryness and therefore irritation. Just where the irritation appears, a new tissue begins to grow: the fleshy growth. This eventually affects the normal functioning of the lacrimal gland.
Other useful information
It is very important to protect the eyes from UV rays. The best way to do this is to wear goggles with UVA and UVB protection, not just on sunny days, but whenever we go out. This is especially important for those living in tropical countries.
Similarly, it is recommended to wear a cap, cap or visor, and apply eye drops, in drops or gels, during the sunniest days. It is not advisable to expose yourself directly to the sun between 10:00 and 15:00.
For now, there is no drug to treat fleshy eye growths. At most, products will be prescribed to relieve discomfort. When the growths become large and also affect vision, the only option is to have surgery to remove them.
