Pterygium Treatment

1. Slit lamp examination: The doctor will physically examine the eye using a slit lamp, which is a type of microscope that will focus a narrow line of bright light on the eye. It helps the doctor to look at the front and inside parts of the eye.
2. Visual acuity test: This test enables the doctor to check how well you can see the letters or symbols on a chart that is twenty feet away.
3. Corneal topography: This type of photography uses a computer to create a three-dimensional map of the cornea surface.
4. Photo documentation: This procedure will involve taking pictures of the eye to track the pterygium’s growth rate.

If the pterygium does not lead to any symptoms or interfere with vision, no treatment is usually needed. 
A pterygium causing symptoms and vision problems may be treated using the following methods:

Non-surgical treatment using medications:

1. Artificial tears to lubricate the eyes and relieve discomfort.
2. Eye ointments, when artificial tears are not sufficient.
3. Steroid eye drops to decrease pain, itching, redness, and swelling.
4. Switch to eyeglasses if contact lenses are causing eye pain or irritation.

Surgery: Surgery may be recommended when eye drops and ointments do not relieve the symptoms of pterygium; when the pterygium grows so large that it blocks your vision, pulls on your cornea, or changes the curve of the cornea (astigmatism); or the way the eye looks is not acceptable to the patient. 

The doctor may use the following different types of surgical strategies:

1. Removal of the pterygium only.
2. Removal of the pterygium and placement of an amniotic membrane sheet over the affected area, which can act as a bandage and help the eye to heal.
3. Removal of the pterygium and covering the affected area using a healthy piece of the conjunctiva (autograft surgery). This healthy conjunctiva is usually taken from behind the upper eyelid.
4. The doctor may recommend certain medications like mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil at the time of surgery to prevent the pterygium from growing back.

The surgery is performed in the following way:

1. The eye is numbed using local anesthesia and the patient may be given light sedation.
2. The surgeon will carefully remove the pterygium from the eye.
3. If the patient is having surgery with an amniotic membrane, the membrane will be cut to a proper size and then placed to cover the area where the pterygium was removed. A special glue or stitches will be used to hold the amniotic membrane in place.
4. In the case of autograft surgery, the surgeon will remove a section of the conjunctiva from under the eyelid to cover the opening. A special glue or stitches will then be used for holding the new tissue in place while it heals.
5. The surgery takes 30 minutes to one hour to complete.

The complications associated with surgery performed to treat pterygium include:

1. Pterygium recurrence
2. Cyst development
3. Infection
4. Double vision
5. Continued dryness or irritation of the eyes
6. Melting of the sclera or cornea (two layers of the eye)

The following are the post-procedure steps following pterygium surgery:

1. Most patients can go home on the same day after surgery.
2. You will need to wear an eye patch over your eyes for a few days after surgery.
3. You need to apply steroid eye drops to the affected eye for a couple of weeks or months after surgery. These eye drops help in decreasing inflammation and the possibility of recurrence of the growth.
4. Most patients can resume their normal activities within a couple of days after surgery.
5. Have follow-up appointments with your doctor to check for recurrence of the condition, which is most likely to happen in the first twelve months following surgery.

Home remedies:

The following home care tips can help in the management of the symptoms associated with pterygium:

1. Use of artificial tears to keep the eyes lubricated and relieve any minor discomfort
2. Use of eye ointment in cases where artificial tears are not sufficient
3. Use of eyeglasses, if contact lenses are leading to eye irritation or pain

Prevention:

Pterygium can be prevented in the following ways:

1. Wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat when stepping outdoors to protect the eyes from UV light
2. Use artificial tears to keep the eyes moist
3. Wear suitable eye protection glasses or goggles when going in a dusty environment.

Cost of pterygium treatment in India- 

1. The cost of non-surgical treatment for pterygium in India is between INR 500 to INR 3000.
2. The cost of pterygium surgery in Mumbai is between INR 22,000 to INR 35,000.
3. The cost of pterygium surgery in Delhi is between INR 20,000 to INR 32,000.
4. The cost of pterygium surgery in Bangalore is between INR 20,000 to INR 32,000.
5. The cost of pterygium surgery in Chennai is between INR 18,000 to INR 30,000.