Surgery Experience
Procedure: Pterygium surgery in Rome is usually performed under local (subconjunctival) anesthesia. The surgeon removes the pterygium tissue from the cornea and adjacent conjunctiva. Most commonly, a conjunctival autograft (using tissue from your own eye) is placed over the area to reduce recurrence risk. The graft is attached with either absorbable sutures or fibrin glue, both of which are widely used and effective.
Duration: The surgery itself typically takes about 30–45 minutes per eye.
Immediate Postoperative Period
Discomfort: It’s normal to experience mild discomfort, a gritty or sandy feeling, redness, and some light sensitivity for the first week. Vision may be blurry initially but usually improves daily.
Medications: Patients are prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments for several days to weeks to prevent infection and aid healing.
Eye Shield: An eye shield or patch may be worn for the first night and sometimes at bedtime for up to a week to protect the eye.
Recovery Timeline
First Week: Most discomfort subsides, but the eye may remain red and sensitive. Avoid rubbing your eye, swimming, using eye makeup, or exposing your eye to dust and wind during this period.
Weeks 2–4: The eye continues to heal, and most patients notice significant improvement in comfort and appearance. Vision typically returns to normal, and redness fades. Sutures, if used, may dissolve on their own or be removed at a follow-up visit.
Full Recovery: Complete healing can take from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the extent of surgery and individual healing. Most patients are able to resume normal activities, including work and driving, within a few days to a week, but strenuous activities and swimming should be avoided for up to a month.
Results and Complications
Success Rate: Modern techniques (especially conjunctival autografting) have low recurrence rates, often below 2% when best practices and adjuvant therapies are used.
Complications: Minor issues like temporary redness, mild swelling, or a scratchy sensation are common. Rarely, complications such as graft loss, infection, or recurrence can occur, but these are minimized with proper surgical technique and follow-up care.
Patient Tips
Follow all post-op instructions: Use prescribed drops, avoid touching or rubbing the eye, and wear sunglasses outdoors to protect from UV and dust.
Attend follow-up visits: These are crucial for monitoring healing and addressing any issues promptly.
Contact your doctor: If you notice increasing pain, significant vision loss, or excessive discharge, seek medical attention immediately.
Patient Feedback
Patients in Rome and internationally often describe the surgery as quick and relatively painless, with the main discomfort occurring in the first few days. Most are pleased with the cosmetic and visual outcomes, noting significant relief from prior irritation and improved eye appearance within weeks of surgery.
