Pterygium removal (Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft)

An eye operation to remove a pterygium — a fleshy growth that spreads from the white of the eye onto the cornea — usually replacing the gap with a small graft of the eye's own surface tissue to reduce regrowth.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

A pterygium is a benign growth on the eye's surface; removal is usually for vision, persistent irritation or appearance, not because it is dangerous.
The main drawback is that it can grow back, sometimes more aggressively — using a conjunctival autograft lowers this risk compared with simply cutting it off.
It is a day-case operation under local anaesthetic; the eye is sore for a few days and redness can take weeks to settle.
Choose an ophthalmologist experienced in pterygium surgery, and protect your eyes from sun and dust afterwards to reduce regrowth.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeEye surface surgery (excision with graft)

AnaestheticLocal anaesthetic (drops or an injection around the eye)

How long it takesAbout 20–45 minutes

Hospital stayDay case, no overnight stay

Time off workA few days to about a week

When you'll see resultsSoreness settles in days; redness can take 6–12 weeks to fade

On the NHS?Available on the NHS when the pterygium affects vision, comfort or eye health; appearance-only removal may be private

A general guide. Your surgeon will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Removes a growth that is encroaching on the cornea and affecting vision

Pause if

The pterygium is small and not affecting vision, comfort or eye health, where leaving it alone may be wiser.

Main recovery point

The eye is often padded. Expect soreness, watering and blurred vision once the pad is removed. Rest the eye and take simple painkillers if needed.

Good aftercare

Clear drop schedule and written instructions on what is normal versus a warning sign.

First 24 hours

The eye is often padded. Expect soreness, watering and blurred vision once the pad is removed. Rest the eye and...

First 2–3 days

The bare area of cornea heals over, after which the sharp soreness eases. Use prescribed antibiotic and...

First 1–2 weeks

Most people return to normal activities. The graft may look lumpy or red. Avoid swimming, dusty environments and...

Weeks 2–6

Redness and graft swelling steadily improve. Any dissolvable stitches settle. Keep using drops for as long as...

Medical line illustration of eye eyelid orbit for Pterygium removal. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is pterygium removal?

A pterygium is a fleshy, often wedge-shaped growth that starts on the white of the eye (the conjunctiva) and can creep onto the clear front window (the cornea). It is benign (not cancer) and is linked to long-term sun, wind and dust exposure. Many cause only mild redness or a gritty feeling and need no surgery.

Pterygium removal is an operation to take the growth off the eye. It is usually considered when the pterygium is growing towards the centre of the cornea, affecting vision or the way glasses work, causing persistent irritation or redness, or when its appearance is troublesome. To lower the high chance of it growing back, surgeons usually cover the bare area with a small graft of the patient's own surface tissue (a conjunctival autograft), fixed with tissue glue or fine stitches.

Surgery treats the growth that is there now. The single biggest issue is that a pterygium can come back, sometimes more aggressively than the first time, so the choice to operate and the technique used both matter. Sun protection afterwards is part of reducing that risk.

Types & techniques

There isn't one single operation. The right approach depends on you — which is something to discuss with your surgeon.

Excision with conjunctival autograft

The growth is removed and the bare patch is covered with a small graft of the eye's own surface tissue, usually taken from under the upper lid. This is the preferred technique because it gives the lowest regrowth rates.

Graft fixed with glue or stitches

The graft is held in place with tissue glue or fine dissolvable stitches. Glue can mean less post-operative irritation; your surgeon will explain their preference.

Amniotic membrane graft

In some cases, especially larger or recurrent growths, a graft of amniotic membrane is used instead of the eye's own tissue.

Excision with mitomycin C

For larger, progressive or recurrent pterygia, a medicine called mitomycin C may be applied during surgery to reduce regrowth. It is used with care and is sometimes unlicensed for this purpose, so it should be explained and consented.

Bare-sclera excision (now uncommon)

Removing the growth without a graft is quicker but has a much higher regrowth rate, so it is generally avoided.

Removal techniques compared

Technique	Regrowth risk	Notes
Conjunctival autograft	Lowest	Preferred; uses the eye's own surface tissue
Amniotic membrane graft	Low to moderate	Useful for larger or recurrent growths
With mitomycin C	Reduced in high-risk cases	Used carefully; explain and consent
Bare sclera (no graft)	Highest	Largely abandoned because it often comes back

Lowering the chance of regrowth is the main reason a graft is used. The right technique depends on the size of the pterygium and whether it is a first or repeat growth.

Preparing for your surgery

See an ophthalmologist who will examine your eye and confirm the growth is a pterygium and whether removal is worthwhile.
Discuss why you want surgery — vision, irritation or appearance — and the realistic chance of regrowth.
Tell the surgeon about dry eye, contact-lens use, glaucoma or any other eye condition.
Mention all medicines, including blood thinners, and ask whether any need adjusting.
Ask whether mitomycin C or an amniotic-membrane graft might be used, and why.
Arrange a lift home, as your eye will be padded and your vision blurred at first.
Have lubricating drops, sunglasses and any prescribed drops ready at home.

What happens

The operation is done under local anaesthetic, with the eye numbed by drops or a small injection around it, so you do not see the surgery and feel little or nothing. You stay awake and lie comfortably while the eye is held gently open.

The surgeon removes the pterygium from the cornea and white of the eye, leaving a small bare area. To reduce regrowth, they usually cover this with a graft of your own surface tissue (taken from under the upper eyelid), or sometimes amniotic membrane, fixed with tissue glue or fine stitches. Mitomycin C may be applied in higher-risk cases.

The operation usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. Afterwards the eye is padded, often for the first day. The area of cornea left bare takes a day or two to heal over, which is why the eye is typically most sore in the first 24 to 48 hours.

Is this operation right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

The pterygium is small and not affecting vision, comfort or eye health, where leaving it alone may be wiser.
Active eye-surface infection or inflammation that should be treated first.
Severe untreated dry eye, which can make healing and comfort worse.
Unrealistic expectations about appearance or about never having a regrowth.
A growth where the diagnosis is uncertain and a different assessment is needed first.

Delay surgery if…

You have an active eye infection or significant inflammation.
Your dry eye or eyelid problems have not been assessed and managed.
Blood-thinning medication has not been reviewed.
You cannot arrange a lift home or care for the eye in the first days.
You have not had a full discussion about regrowth risk and the technique to be used.

Alternatives to discuss

No surgery, with lubricating drops and sun protection for a mild, stable pterygium.
Short courses of anti-inflammatory drops for flare-ups of redness or irritation.
Monitoring growth over time and operating only if it progresses towards the cornea.
Optimising dry-eye treatment, which can improve comfort without surgery.
Choosing a graft technique rather than simple excision when surgery is needed.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Anaesthetic choices

The safest option depends on the operation, your health, the facility and your surgeon/anaesthetist. Ask what is planned and why.

Topical (drop) anaesthetic

Numbing drops alone are sometimes enough for straightforward surgery.

Local anaesthetic injection

A small injection around the eye gives fuller numbing; commonly used for pterygium surgery.

Benefits

Removes a growth that is encroaching on the cornea and affecting vision
Relieves persistent redness, irritation and a gritty feeling
Can improve the way glasses or contact lenses work if the pterygium was distorting the cornea
Improves the appearance of the eye
Using a graft markedly lowers the chance of the growth returning compared with simple removal

Risks & complications

More common

A sore, gritty or watery eye for the first few days as the bare cornea heals
Redness of the eye that can take several weeks to settle
Swelling or a lumpy look to the graft early on
Temporary blurred vision and light sensitivity

Less common

The pterygium growing back, sometimes needing further surgery
The graft slipping, shrinking or healing unevenly
Infection of the eye surface, needing treatment
A small cyst or granuloma (lump) at the graft or stitch site

Rare but serious

Double vision or restricted eye movement, particularly after surgery for recurrent growths
Scarring affecting vision or eye movement
Serious sight-threatening complications, especially where mitomycin C is used or the sclera thins

The biggest issue with pterygium surgery is regrowth, which can be more aggressive than the original and is more likely in younger people, after simple removal without a graft, and with extensive growths. Surgery for recurrent pterygium also carries a higher chance of problems such as double vision and scarring. Ask your surgeon which technique they will use, their own regrowth rate, and whether mitomycin C is planned and why.

Published figures to discuss

Surgery is generally well tolerated, but regrowth is the key outcome to understand and varies widely with technique, the size of the growth and the patient's age. The figures below are cautious ranges from UK patient information and published series; recurrent-pterygium surgery carries higher risks than first-time surgery.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Regrowth (recurrence) after surgery	Often quoted around 5–10 in 100 with a conjunctival autograft; reported across studies anywhere from low single figures to much higher with simpler techniques	Lowest with an autograft; higher in younger people, large growths and bare-sclera removal. Most regrowth shows within the first year.	Guide sourcesClinical context
Graft problems (slippage, shrinkage, swelling)	Uncommon for significant graft loss or slippage; minor swelling is frequent and usually settles	Significant graft slippage may occasionally need a further procedure.	Guide sourcesClinical context
Infection of the eye surface	Uncommon, usually under a few percent in published surgical series	Treated with drops; report worsening pain, redness or discharge promptly.	Recurrence after autograft, primary closure and amniotic membrane (comparative study) — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context
Double vision or restricted eye movement	Rare, mainly after surgery for recurrent pterygium	Linked to scarring; more likely with repeated operations.	Guide sourcesClinical context

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

Recovery — what to expect, and when

The first day or two are usually the most uncomfortable because a small area of cornea is left bare and needs to heal over. Redness then settles gradually over several weeks.

First 24 hours

The eye is often padded. Expect soreness, watering and blurred vision once the pad is removed. Rest the eye and take simple painkillers if needed.

First 2–3 days

The bare area of cornea heals over, after which the sharp soreness eases. Use prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops as directed.

First 1–2 weeks

Most people return to normal activities. The graft may look lumpy or red. Avoid swimming, dusty environments and rubbing the eye.

Weeks 2–6

Redness and graft swelling steadily improve. Any dissolvable stitches settle. Keep using drops for as long as advised.

6–12 weeks and beyond

Redness usually fades and the eye settles to its final appearance. This is also the period when regrowth, if it happens, tends to begin, so attend follow-up.

What's normal — and not a worry

A gritty, watery, sore eye for the first few days
Redness that takes several weeks to fade
A lumpy or swollen-looking graft early on
Blurred vision and sensitivity to light at first
Mild awareness of stitches if dissolvable sutures were used

Aftercare

Use the prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops exactly as directed, often for several weeks.
Do not rub the eye, and avoid getting water in it while it heals.
Wear sunglasses outdoors and avoid dusty or windy conditions early on.
Avoid swimming and contact lenses until your surgeon says it is safe.
Take simple painkillers for soreness in the first days if needed.
Protect your eyes from the sun long term to reduce the chance of regrowth.
Attend follow-up so healing and any early regrowth can be checked.

Before-surgery checklist

Lift home arranged (eye will be padded)
Prescribed drops collected and instructions understood
Lubricating drops and sunglasses ready
A day or two off work or driving planned
Someone to help at home for the first day
Follow-up appointment and clinic contact number noted

Scars and how they heal

Healing happens on the surface of the eye rather than the skin, so there is no facial scar. The graft and the area it was taken from usually heal to look natural over weeks, though some redness or a faint mark on the white of the eye can remain. In a minority, scarring on the eye surface affects appearance, vision or eye movement, which is more likely after surgery for recurrent growths.

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Increasing eye pain rather than steadily improving soreness
Worsening redness, discharge or swelling — possible infection, seek help
A sudden drop in vision or new persistent double vision
The graft clearly coming loose or moving
Increasing light sensitivity with pain
Any rapid change that worries you in the healing eye

Who to contact: your surgeon or clinic first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your surgeon gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A good result is a comfortable, white eye with the growth removed, stable vision and a low chance of the pterygium returning. Soreness settles within days once the cornea has healed over, while redness can take six to twelve weeks to fade fully. Using a conjunctival autograft gives much lower regrowth rates than simple removal.

Surgery cannot guarantee the pterygium will never come back, and removal does not always fully correct vision changes if the cornea was distorted. A clear discussion about realistic appearance, the chance of regrowth and the value of sun protection is part of a good outcome.

How long it lasts

Most pterygia removed with a graft do not return, but regrowth is the main long-term concern and tends to show within the first several months to a year. Younger age, extensive original growth and removal without a graft all raise the risk. Lifelong sun and dust protection helps. If a pterygium does recur, further surgery is possible but is generally more complex.

Combining with other procedures

Pterygium removal is occasionally combined with, or considered around the time of, other eye surgery such as cataract surgery, because a pterygium can affect the measurements used to plan a cataract lens. Your ophthalmologist will advise on the best order and timing.

Follow-up & long-term care

You will usually be reviewed within the first week or two to check healing and graft position, then again as redness settles. Follow-up also looks for early signs of regrowth, which is most likely in the first several months. Report pain, vision change or a returning growth promptly.

Protect your eyes from sun, wind and dust long term, including good-quality sunglasses.
Use lubricating drops if your eye stays dry or gritty.
Attend follow-up appointments so any regrowth is caught early.
Report any returning growth, redness or vision change to your eye specialist.

Revision and secondary surgery reality

If the pterygium grows back, further surgery is possible but is generally more complex and carries higher risks.
Repeat surgery may use mitomycin C or a larger graft to reduce further regrowth.
Scarring from previous surgery can affect eye movement and the look of the eye.
Most regrowth appears within the first several months to a year, which is why follow-up matters.

Ask your surgeon for their own revision rate, what counts as a revision, and what is included in the written aftercare policy.

What good aftercare looks like

Clear drop schedule and written instructions on what is normal versus a warning sign.
A named contact and urgent route for increasing pain, infection or vision change.
Follow-up timed to check healing and catch early regrowth.
Long-term advice on sun and dust protection to reduce recurrence.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

Surgeon (ophthalmologist) and facility fees
Whether a conjunctival autograft, amniotic membrane or mitomycin C is used
Use of tissue glue versus stitches
Day-case theatre and local-anaesthetic charges
Follow-up appointments and prescribed eye drops
Greater complexity and cost if the pterygium is recurrent

Make sure your written quote includes

The operating ophthalmologist's and facility fees
Whether a graft, amniotic membrane or mitomycin C is included
Day-case theatre and anaesthetic charges
Follow-up appointments and the cost of prescribed drops
What happens, and what it costs, if the pterygium grows back and needs further surgery
Cancellation policy and cover if a complication arises

On the NHS? Pterygium removal is available on the NHS when the growth affects vision, comfort or eye health; removal purely for appearance may need to be funded privately.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.

Choosing a surgeon safely

Check your surgeon is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they practise at a CQC-registered location, and look for membership of bodies like BAAPS or BAPRAS.
You're entitled to a two-stage consent process with time to reflect (a cooling-off period). The surgeon who will operate must consent you — not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers, discounts or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good surgeon will welcome every one of these.

Is my pterygium actually affecting my vision, or is this mainly about comfort or appearance?
Which technique will you use, and what is your own regrowth rate?
Will you use a graft, and will it be fixed with glue or stitches?
Do you plan to use mitomycin C, and if so why and what are the risks?
What can I do to reduce the chance of it coming back?
What happens if it does grow back?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the surgeon who carries out my operation, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this operation not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Is a pterygium dangerous or cancerous?

No, a pterygium is a benign growth, not cancer. It is usually removed because it is affecting vision, causing persistent irritation, or for appearance — not because it is dangerous. If the diagnosis is uncertain, your ophthalmologist may examine or test it to be sure.

Will it grow back after surgery?

It can. Regrowth is the main drawback of pterygium surgery. Using a graft of your own surface tissue (a conjunctival autograft) gives much lower regrowth rates than simply cutting the growth off. Sun protection afterwards also helps.

Does the operation hurt?

The surgery itself is done under local anaesthetic, so you feel little or nothing. The eye is usually most sore in the first 24 to 48 hours afterwards, while the bare area of cornea heals over.

How long is the recovery?

Soreness usually settles within a few days and most people return to normal activities within a week. Redness can take six to twelve weeks to fade fully, and drops are often needed for several weeks.

Can I have it removed just for appearance?

Yes, appearance is a valid reason, but it is worth weighing the chance of regrowth and the recovery against the benefit. Removal for appearance alone may be a private procedure, whereas removal for vision or comfort is often available on the NHS.

What is mitomycin C and will I need it?

Mitomycin C is a medicine sometimes applied during surgery to reduce regrowth in larger, progressive or recurrent pterygia. It is used carefully and is sometimes unlicensed for this purpose, so your surgeon should explain why it is being used and consent you for it.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: Moorfields Eye Hospital — Pterygium surgery patient information Guy's and St Thomas' NHS — Having surgery for a pterygium Recurrence after autograft, primary closure and amniotic membrane (comparative study) — PMC Pterygium excision with conjunctival autografting: technique and safety — PMC Understanding and managing pterygium (review) — PMC

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.