pterygium

Are there preventative measures you can take to suppress the growth of an existing pterygium?  I have one in both eyes (one bigger than the other; the larger one on the limbus border with the iris)  

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

Don't smoke.  Diligently wear sunglasses with broad UVA and UVB blocking properties outdoors.  Wearing a hat and sunglasses together is even better.  It is not possible to make pterygia regress (go away) medically, although they can sometimes become inflamed (red and painful) and this can be treated with steroid eye drops.