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Even Non-Surfers Can Get Surfer’s Eye!
Pterygium | Carnosidad
If you spend a lot of time working or playing outdoors, you run the risk of developing a pterygium/carnosidad, commonly referred to as Surfer’s Eye. Despite the name you do not need to be anywhere near the ocean to acquire surfer’s eye; you just need excessive exposure to UV radiation or dry, dusty environments.
Pterygiums/Carnosidads are most common in people between the ages of 20 and 50 years and are more common in men. Also, Pterygia (plural for Pterygium) often occur in multiple members of families thereby indicating a genetic predisposition. People who live or are from tropical climates, occupations such as, landscapers and other outdoor workers, people who participate in sports such as soccer, sailors, surfers, golfers and skiers who are subjected to a lot of reflected UV light and populations living where there is ozone layer depletion, have a higher incidence. People who tend to suffer from dry eyes may also be more prone to developing a pterygium particularly if they spend a great deal of their time outdoors.
Surfer’s Eye: The Good News
The Good news is that if you have been diagnosed with a pterygium/carnosidad, you have access to one of the leading pterygium surgeons in the world, right here at Visionary Eye Doctors that can help treat your pterygium and has one of the lowest recurrence rates in the world, less than 1%.
Dr. J. Alberto Martinez has a true passion for patients affected by Pterygium, and he is completely empathetic in your journey – as he too has a personal story with Pterygium that you may read here.
Prevention is Always Preferable
If your job or lifestyle put you at high risk for surfer’s eye or carnosidad, you can take measures to prevent this unsightly growth:
- Regularly wear UV 400 rated sunglasses when outdoors in sunny weather
- Wear sunglasses with a wrap-around design
- Wear a hat with a wide brim
Your eyes are often the first thing that people notice about you. We can help!
For more information, please go to www.eyewhitemd.com and request a free pterygium/carnosidad screening!
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