Surf’s Up Dude: How to Get Rid of Surfer’s Eye

Nothing can quite beat a morning of waking up and hitting the surf to get a few waves in before a busy day of work. And although surfing is a fun sport, sitting in the sun for an endless amount of time can wreak havoc on your vision causing a condition called pterygium or “surfer’s eye.” Although you don’t have to be a surfer to get this condition, it is predominant among surfers. Read on to learn more about this eye condition and possible treatment options.

What Is Surfer’s Eye?

Caused primarily by the overexposure of ultraviolet rays, surfer’s eye is a condition that causes non-cancerous growths to appear on the eyes. Additionally, this condition can be painful and can even obscure your vision. Patients who have this condition complain of burning, itchiness, inflammation, redness, and growth that primarily appears on the inner part of the eye close to the nose.

What Are Treatment Options?
Here at Millennium Park Eye Center, we can get rid of your pterygium and improve your vision in virtually no time at all. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be prescribed a steroid eye drop to help reduce the growth in the eye. If your growth is extremely significant, however, then you may have to have it surgically removed. During surgery, one of our ophthalmologists will eliminate the growth from the eye while trying to avoid causing any damage to your vision. Unfortunately, however, even after surgery the growth can come back and may have to be removed again.

What Is Recovery from Surgery Like?
Following your surgery you will have to refrain from spending time in the sun as your eyes) heal. If you do need to go outside, you should wear dark sunglasses that not only protect the front of your eyes but the sides of them as well. Additionally, you will be required to use a steroid eye drop to help reduce the swelling and inflammation in the eye.

If you think that you may have surfer’s eye or if you would like to schedule an eye appointment, contact Millennium Park Eye Center.