Pterygium

[chaplain]

It will be two years in June of 2008 since I had a pterygium removed and a skin graft done.  The surgery was very difficult and I had asked for more sedation, which was denied due to my lowering blood pressure.  The skin graft was successful, but the weeks and months following surgery were very difficult, even after the pain from the stiches subsided.  My eye has been sensitive since the surgery, but no new growth has occurred. It was better when I was wearing contacts, but I had lazer surgery the end of December 2007 and have not been wearing contacts since.  I assume the contact added a protection of some kind.  I don't know what to do with the daily discomfort in my eye.  Seems that it is worse under flourescent lighting and forced air heating. It hurts when I blink or apply pressure of any kind to the eye in the area of the former pterygium.  Would an additional skin graft help?  My doctor is very good and has done many of these, but so far has not gone forward with any treatment plan since my corrective lazer surgery has been so recent.  Any suggestions?  Life is definitely more difficult with this pain.




This discussion is related to PTERYGIUM REMOVAL.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

Its very unlikely that skin graft, more surgery or contacts would help (contacts often numb the cornea so that its less sensitive).

Your symptoms strongly suggest dry eyes. Use the search, archives and health topics to read the many posts about dry eyes.

Either return to your Eye MD or get a second opinion and discuss going on Restasis. It's a miracle drop for many dry eye patients if they stick with it for at least 2-3 months.

JCH III MD