Pinguécula
La pinguecula is a benign bump that grows on the conjunctiva (membrane covering the sclera – white part of the eye) and moves towards the cornea, usually in the shape of a triangle. The pinguecula has a yellowish or whitish color y usually appears in the part of the eye closest to the nose, although it can also appear in the outer part of the eye.
La inflammation of the pinguecula is a pingueculitis and its risk factors are Sun exposureplatforms, wind or very dry environments.
Pinguécula
La pinguecula is a benign bump that grows on the conjunctiva (membrane covering the sclera – white part of the eye) and moves towards the cornea, usually in the shape of a triangle. The pinguecula has a yellowish or whitish color y usually appears in the part of the eye closest to the nose, although it can also appear in the outer part of the eye.
La inflammation of the pinguecula is a pingueculitis and its risk factors are Sun exposureplatforms, wind or very dry environments.
What is the pinguecula?
La pinguecula is a bulge composed of fats and proteins that forms on the conjunctiva, the transparent tissue that covers the entire white part of the eye. This bump appears unexpectedly and is considered a benign condition It does not represent any danger to visual health. The Seniors of 50 years and the elderly have increased risk of pinguecula.
By the place where it is formed, the pinguecula can be seen with the naked eye and it looks like some kind of triangular yellow mass. Although the pinguecula can grow anywhere in the eye, it is common to find it in the part of the conjunctiva that is closest to the cornea and, thus, closer to the nose. Can present one or more pingueculae at a time and only an ophthalmology specialist is capable of diagnosing this condition and differentiating it from other injuries.
Pinguecula in children
La pinguecula is a condition very rare in children, since it tends to affect more people over 50 years of age with worn eye tissue.
Suspecting that a child has a pinguecula it is essential to go to the ophthalmologist to check that it is a benign lump and not another eye injury.
If the pinguecula interferes with the use of glasses or contact lenses, its removal should be considered. to guarantee the good visual health of the child.
Causes of pinguecula
Nowadays specific cause unknown which leads to training of the pinguecula; in fact, medical specialists agree that various factors can trigger this condition. Between the most common causes associated with formation of the pinguecula highlight:
- El excess exposure to sunlight.
- Dust mites.
- Toxic particles present in the wind.
- Any other microorganism present in the environment.
It is also thought that the pinguecula can occur due to changes present in the tissue of the conjunctiva over the years and due to aging. Also, the Dry Eye Syndrome is another cause which is associated with the formation of this type of benign bumps, since dry eyes or lack of tears can cause changes in the eye tissue.
To prevent the penetration of particles into the eyeball and protect visual health from damage caused by sunlight, it is the use of sunglasses is vital during all seasons of the year. Investing in glasses with quality lenses and visual protection is investing in eye health. The use of artificial tears it's also great help prevent eye irritation that can affect the conjunctiva.
Pinguecula symptoms
At the beginning of your training, the pinguecula does not cause any discomfort; Nevertheless, over time, this condition can be bothersome and reach cause the following symptoms:
- Eye irritation and dryness which can be constant.
- Some people present roughness in the eye or the feeling of having a strange body that interferes with the campor visual
- El redness of the eye is one of most common pinguecula symptoms. The iris, cornea and pupil are the parts of the eye that are most affected by redness.
- The appearance of a pinguecula causes eye inflammationthis is maybe the most common symptom of this benign eye bulge.
Pinguecula Treatment
La pinguecula, as it is a benign condition, does not require treatment in most cases, even sometimes the patient only manifests a slight stain instead of a bump.
However, when the pinguecula grows too large or causes very bothersome symptoms that interfere with the person's quality of life, the ophthalmologist may evaluate the option of performing a surgery to remove the pinguecula.
The options of pinguecula treatment The most common are:
Use of ointments or eye drops
The use of ointments and eye drops It is widely used for relieve redness and irritation of the eye caused by pinguecula.
Although these products are over-the-counter and can be found at any pharmacy, it is vital that the medication to be used is prescribed by an ophthalmologist, since not all these remedies have the same mechanism of action.
Pinguecula surgery
Depending on the appearance of the pinguecula and its size, the ophthalmologist may decide that the best treatment of the pinguecula is its removal by surgery.
There are three cases in which it is recommended to remove the pinguecula by surgery and these are the following:
- When the bump is growing over the cornea and it is affecting the correct vision of the patient.
- When the pinguecula represents a nuisance when putting on contact lenses or wearing glasses.
- When the inflammation is severe and the inconvenience do not respond to treatment with eye drops or ointments.
El treatment for pinguecula does not guarantee its definitive cure, since this lesion can reappear after being treated with eye drops, ointments or surgery. This factor must be taken into account when deciding whether or not to undergo surgery to remove the lump.
