Managing clinical conditions: Pterygium

Article

Philadelphia-Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, and Jill Autry, OD, RPh, shared pterygium management pearls with attendees at the American Optometric Association’s Optometry’s Meeting.

 

Philadelphia-Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, and Jill Autry, OD, RPh, shared clinical management pearls with attendees at the American Optometric Association’s Optometry’s Meeting.

“Waiting until it creeps onto the visual axis is waiting too late,” says Dr. Autry.

“Look at where the head is, and add 2 mm. That's where the damage is”, says Dr. Karpecki.

Treatment plan can include:

• Complete excision

• Address inflammation

• Minimally induce surgical trauma

If you’re considering surgery for pterygium, know that there is a high incidence of recurrence. Dr. Autry recommends excision with autograft for patients with risk of high recurrence.

Dr. Karpecki suggests ODs watch for dellen formation on the cornea with pterygium patients. “Lubricate them. Eventually they could break down the cornea, and that becomes a more serious problem.”ODT

 

Recent Videos
Jeffrey Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, overviews a presentation he gave on the Bifocal Lenses in Nearsighted Kids 2 (BLINK2) cohort study at the Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation (CCOI).
Danica Marrelli, OD, FAAO, at Glaucoma 360 discussing visual field testing for patients with glaucoma
Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, states that the best way to learn the benefits of artificial intelligence for your practice is to stay on top of continuing education attendance.
Jeffrey Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, gives an overview of the AAO's 2024 and what to expect in 2025 and beyond.
Dr Jamie Kuzniar discusses higher order aberrations and premium scleral lenses
Abby Gillogly Harsch, OD, FAAO, FSLS, shares a specific complex case of scleral lens fitting that she presented on at this year's GSLS.
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, values the ophthalmic-optometric collaboration on display at the summit, running from February 14-17, 2025 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Katie Rachon, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, shares her excitement for the upcoming conference and what it means for an optometrist's toolbox.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.