P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for PTERYGIUM®

P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for PTERYGIUM® is an effective surgical technique to remove a Pterygium from your eye.

It was pioneered by Professor Lawrence Hirst over the past 20 years and has now been used in over 3,500 patients. It is the end result of careful and painstaking changes to existing surgical techniques. He has used this method exclusively for the last 12 years and it has delivered the best results reported in the world’s scientific literature.

Pterygium Extended Removal Followed by Extended Conjunctival Transplant.

The technique consists of the following stages:

STAGE 1: The meticulous micro-surgical removal of the pterygium and tenons capsule (i.e. the skin that envelopes the eyeball from the optic nerve to the edge of the cornea). The procedure is done without the use of diathermy which is one reason patients report less post-operative discomfort.

STAGE 2: An autograft is retrieved from underneath the upper eyelid of conjunctival tissue (i.e. the transparent skin of the eye).

STAGE 3: The autograft is positioned where the pterygium was removed and micro-dissolvable stitches hold the autograft in place.

Dr Katherine Smallcombe completed a Fellowship with Professor Hirst and became the first P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for Pterygium ® Partner.

You can find out more information on Pterygiums (Surfer’s Eye) here.

A recurrence of the removed pterygium is extremely rare. Using P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for Pterygium ® has reduced the recurrence rate from the 10-15% usually described in the literature, to 1/1000 (0.1%).

All other post-operative symptoms are less frequent with P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for Pterygium ® compared with other pterygium surgeries.*

The cosmetic appearance achieved after P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for PTERYGIUM® is usually so good that the patient forgets which eye has had the surgery a few months later. People in casual contact with most patients can not tell which eye has had surgery.

Pterygium surgery can be painful. The P.E.R.F.E.C.T. for Pterygium® technique, though longer, in our experience has resulted in less post-operative pain and less discomfort.

Surgery is most commonly indicated by the size of the pterygium and how far past the limbus, the junction of the cornea and the sclera, it has grown. For example, once the pterygium has grown larger than say 2.5 mm to 3 mm past the limbus, then removal should be considered. This is because there is a very likely threat to vision quality if the pterygium continues to grow.

KindSIGHT recommends the removal of the pterygium before it affects your quality of vision. This is to avoid permanent damage to your vision which may not be reversible, even after the successful removal of the pterygium.

The diagram indicates the general pterygium size would be as it encroaches onto each area of the cornea.

Small pterygiums, similar to this 1 mm example, can be safely left alone, particularly if you are not experiencing any symptoms.

Eye drops and protection can be used to manage any symptoms. It is also recommended that the pterygium is reviewed and monitored by your Optometrist annually to check for any changes.

This image indicates a pterygium of approximately 1 mm.

Even when your pterygium is not bothering you with symptoms, once it reaches 3mm in size removal is recommended. This is because of the potential to continue growing and affecting your vision.

This image indicates a pterygium that has grown past 3mm and would be therefore be recommended for surgery.

Small pterygiums that don’t bother you usually require only good UV protection with wrap-around sunglasses, and the use of lubricant drops. However, no matter what the size of the pterygium, if you are experiencing constant symptoms such as irritation that is not relieved with lubricants, the pterygium may also be considered for removal.

Click to find out more information about pterygium symptoms.

Contact us for more information, or to make an appointment with Dr. Smallcombe.