Corneal Specialist Joel Confino,M.D. of The Eye Care & Surgery Center commented, “A Pinguecula is a common,
non-cancerous growth of the clear, thin tissue covering the eye called the
conjunctiva. This growth is usually slightly raised from the surface of
the white part of the eye called sclera and while the exact cause is
unknown long-term sunlight exposure and eye irritation may be factors.”
Usually no treatment is needed, however
keeping the eye moist with artificial tears may help prevent the area from
becoming inflamed. Sometimes the temporary use of mild steroid eye drops
can also be helpful. Occasionally the growth may need to be removed for
comfort or for cosmetic reasons especially if it grows over the cornea and
impairs vision. Laser treatment for Pinguecula may be an option where other
types of treatment have not been satisfactory according to researchers
reporting in the journal Cornea.
The researchers studied patients and treated their Pinguecula with argon laser
photocoagulation. Each patient graded the cosmetic outcome on a 5 point-grading scale with 5 being excellent, 4 being
good, 3 acceptable, 2 poor and 1 very poor and the surgeons evaluation of
treatment outcome was based on objective findings of anterior segment
photography and anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The overall
cosmetic results were excellent or good in 90.5% of laser-treated cases and the
laser treated cases had minimal scarring or hemorrhage. They concluded that
argon laser photocoagulation is an effective and safe method for removing a
Pinguecula for cosmetic purposes and the laser method facilitates control of
the extent and depth of removal and thus minimizes conjunctival defects and
other complications.
If
you or someone you know has a question about Pinguecula or laser
treatment of Pinguecula please call The Eye Care & Surgery
Center at 908-789-8999, visit The
Eye Care & Surgery Center
or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
With
locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10
Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite
1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care &
Surgery Center is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for
patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.
