Pterygium
A pterygium is a fleshy growth on the surface of the eye, linked to sun exposure. It is often harmless, but can be removed if it irritates the eye or affects your sight. Read more about pterygium →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the ophthalmology wait (not specific to pterygium), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
ophthalmology waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | Birmingham | 2 weeks |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Dorset | 4 weeks |
| The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust | Dudley | 5 weeks |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | Reigate and Banstead | 5 weeks |
| Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust | Wiltshire | 6 weeks |
| London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust | Brent | 6 weeks |
| Airedale NHS Foundation Trust | Bradford | 6 weeks |
| Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Cheshire East | 7 weeks |
About pterygium
A pterygium is a fleshy, triangular growth of tissue on the surface of the eye, usually on the side nearest the nose. It can creep slowly towards the centre of the eye. It's linked to a lot of sun and UV exposure and to dry, dusty conditions, and is often harmless, though it can make the eye red, gritty or irritated.
How it is treated
A small pterygium that isn't causing trouble often needs no treatment, and lubricating drops or ointment ease any dryness and irritation. Surgery to remove it may be offered if it keeps irritating the eye, starts to affect your sight, or you're unhappy with how it looks. The growth is removed and the bare patch is usually covered with a small graft of tissue from the same eye.
After treatment
Drops keep a mild pterygium comfortable without surgery. After removal the eye is usually sore and red for a week or two and you use antibiotic and steroid drops while it heals. A pterygium can grow back in a small number of people, which is more likely in hot, sunny climates, so protecting your eyes from the sun helps.
Sources: NHS (Guy's and St Thomas'): Pterygium. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.