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FAQ

Pterygium FAQS

FAQs

Is a pterygium growth cancerous?

No, a pterygium is a benign growth and usually harmless. However, in some cases it may harbour cancerous cells.

What causes a pterygium?

It is not known exactly what causes a pterygium to develop, but dusty, sandy and sunny environments (with high UV exposure) are contributing factors.

References and further reading

General references

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Pinguecula and pterygium

Chui et al. Ophthalmic pterygium: a stem cell disorder with premalignant features. Am J Pathol. 2011 Feb; 178(2): 817–827. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2010.10.037 ↩︎

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Pterygium

The information on this page is general in nature. All medical and surgical procedures have potential benefits and risks. Consult your ophthalmologist for specific medical advice.

Date last reviewed: 2026-05-25 | Date for next review: 2028-05-25

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