All You Should Know About Pinguecula
Slightly raised and yellowish thickening of the conjunctiva on white of the eye (sclera) is known as a pinguecula. These are non-cancerous bumps on the eyeball mostly occurring on the upper-mid region of the sclera which is the area between the eyelids and thus exposed to sunlight and elements of nature. Pingueculae affects sclera’s surface that’s closer to the nose. However, the occurrence can be on the anterior or outer part as well which is closer to the ear.
Causes
Pingueculae are developed usually from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun whereas significant exposure to wind, dust and airborne impurities also raises the risk. Dry eye syndrome also contributes to growth or expansion of the pingueculae with common occurrence among middle-aged, elderly and all those who spent an awful lot of time in the sun. That said, younger are also susceptible to the development especially children who usually spend time outdoors without any protective eyewear or a hat to shade the eyes from sunrays.
Risk of pingueculae can be reduced with protective eyewear even on overcast and cloudy weather since UV rays can easily penetrate through the cloud with the same ferocity. It must be noted that severe development of the pingueculae may require cosmetic eye surgery in Dubai but only if suggested by an ophthalmologist.
Symptoms & signs
Pingueculae, in many people, mightn’t even cause any preliminary symptoms but when they do, it starts from certain tear film disruption. Since it’s a raised bump on the eyeball, natural tear film is likely to spread unevenly across the eye’s surface causing dryness.
It can further cause dry eye syndrome or a burning sensation, itching, stitching, sensation of foreign body and even blurred vision. Appearance or raised blood vessels in the conjunctiva causing red eyes is yet another symptom of pingueculae.
Swollen and inflamed pingueculae are known as “pingueculitis” followed by itchiness and redness and in the eye due to significant exposure to sunlight and various natural elements or, extremely dry weather.
Treatment
The course of treatment for pingueculae depends on the severity of the symptoms. The onset is at risk of growing if pingueculae are overexposed to the sun rays. This is the reason wearing protective eye gear is a first effective step for protection against the development and expansion.
And it’d be much better if eyewear is prescribed by the doctor based on the eyes and overall patient’s vision health. The possibility of photochromic lenses is high which offer 100% UV protection from intense blue light and darkens whenever exposed to sunlight.
In-case pinguecula is in its mild state but, accompanied by dry-eye irritation or perhaps the sensation of a foreign body, lubricating eye drops prescribed by the doctor should relieve the symptoms. Other prescription may include wearing scleral contact lenses which prevents further growth as well as offer protection from dryness effects.
In extreme cases, the onset can cause inflammation and swelling in and around the eye which is either treated with steroidal eye drops or even cosmetic surgery in abu dhabi.
Conclusion
Although non-cancerous, any visible changes in the size, shape and colour of bump near or on the eyeball should be immediately reported and examined by the doctor.
