What Surfer's Eye Looks Like and How It Is Treated

Surfer’s eye, otherwise known as pterygium, is characterized by a pink, fleshy, wedge-shaped growth on the clear tissue covering the white of your eye, called the conjunctiva. It is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and is made worse by chronic eye dryness or irritation.

Surfer's eye gets its name from three contributing factors that surfers tend to be overexposed to, namely sun, wind, and dust. Symptoms include eye redness, a sensation of something in your eye, and blurred or distorted vision. Most cases can be treated with artificial tears and eye protection, though larger growths may need to be surgically removed.

This article describes the symptoms and causes of surfer's eye, including how this relatively benign eye condition is diagnosed, treated, and prevented.

What Surfer's Eye Looks and Feels Like

Some cases of surfer’s eye—especially minor cases—may not cause any symptoms until the growth is large enough to see or feel.

When symptoms do appear, they typically include:

• Eye redness and swelling
• A persistent itchy or burning sensation
• A feeling of grit in your eye that you cannot get out
• Tearing or watery eyes
• A raised pinkish growth on the white of your eye that can get bigger

If the pterygium grows onto your cornea (the transparent part of your eye covering the iris and lens), you may experience blurring or visual distortions such as diplopia (double vision).

What Causes Surfer's Eye?

Surfer's eye is a relatively benign condition. Although it is named after surfers, beachgoers aren’t the only ones who can get it.

Common causes of pterygium include:

• Overexposure to UV radiation: People who spend a lot of time outdoors without the appropriate eye protection are at an increased risk.
• Dry eyes: Xerosis is the medical term for dry eyes caused by the inadequate protection of tears. This increases your risk of eye irritation.
• Exposure to irritants: Dust, sand, and wind are all factors associated with surfer’s eye.

Anyone can develop surfer’s eye, but some groups are affected more than others due to lifestyle, location, or other factors.

Risk factors include:

• Older age
  
• Living closer to the equator
• Outdoor occupations like fishing, forestry, and construction
• Average sun exposure of more than five hours daily
• Smoking

How Is Surfer's Eyes Diagnosed?

If you start to develop symptoms of surfer’s eye—especially any growths on the eyeball—ask for a referral to an eye specialist called an ophthalmologist.

They'll be able to diagnose your condition based on a review of your medical history and a physical exam. This includes an examination of your eye with a lighted magnifying scope called a slit lamp.

Based on the results of the eye exam, the ophthalmologist can grade the severity of your condition. This helps direct the appropriate course of treatment.

Pterygium grades are classified as:

• Grade 1: The growth is indistinguishable from tissues on the conjunctiva and reaches the limbus.
• Grade 2: The growth covers the edge of the cornea, approximately 2 millimeters.
• Grade 3: The growth has reached the pupil margin.
• Grade 4: The growth has moved into the pupil and visual axis.

In the event of a high-grade growth, a computerized technique called corneal topography can make a 3D map of the surface of your eye. This may be indicated if your vision is impaired and surgery is needed.

Can Surfer's Eye Cure Itself?

Most cases of surfer’s eye don’t require extensive treatment. In fact, minor cases don’t require treatment at all.

To reduce eye irritation and inflammation, your healthcare provider may prescribe various eye drops, including:

• Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) to ease irritation and dry eyes
• Over-the-counter decongestant eye drops to reduce eye redness and swelling
• Prescription corticosteroid (steroid) eye drops to reduce eye inflammation

If the growth is unsightly, causes significant discomfort, or affects your vision, surgery may be recommended.

Two common approaches, both performed under local anesthesia, include:

• Excision with conjunctival autograft: This is the removal of the growth, which is then patched with a piece of conjunctiva from the back of your eye.
• Excision with amniotic membrane graft: This is the removal of the growth, which is then patched with a piece of placenta from a recently-born baby.

How to Prevent Surfer's Eye

There are simple steps you can take to protect your eyes and avoid getting surfer’s eye:

• Always wear sunglasses: Choose sunglasses rated to remove 90% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Wear the glasses whenever outdoors for prolonged periods, even on overcast days.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat: Baseball hats and sun hats can help shield your eyes from overhead sunlight.
• Use wetting eye drops: When you’re in very dry, windy, or dusty areas, use over-the-counter artificial tears to keep your eyes properly lubricated.

Summary

Surfer's eye (pterygium) is a benign growth that develops on the eye due to excessive exposure to UV radiation and irritants like wind and dust. Dry eyes also contribute. Symptoms include eye redness, irritation, a feeling of grit in your eye, and a pinkish growth on the surface of your eye.

Mild cases may resolve on their own. Over-the-counter and prescription eye drops can help ease symptoms. Severe cases may require surgery to remove the growth.