29th Jul 2024

Why Is Growth on an Eyeball Called a Surfer’s Eye?

Surfer’s eye, medically called pterygium, is an eye condition characterized by a raised, fleshy growth on the conjunctiva, the white part of the eye. The growth typically appears on the side closest to the nose and could extend onto the eye's cornea. 

While there is no exact cause for the condition, researchers believe that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays causes problems in the eye. A simple eye test can reveal them.

What Causes a Surfer's Eye?

The source of the surfer's eye is multifaceted, with the primary environmental trigger being prolonged exposure to the elements that irritate the ocular surface. Besides the sun damaging the delicate eye cells, the wind plays an active role. Dust and dirt cause problems by scratching the outer surface of the conjunctiva. For those who work primarily outdoors, you’re twice as likely to develop the condition.

Medical conditions also influence the development of a surfer's eye. It can occur if you suffer from conditions such as:

• Autoimmune disease. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and Crohn’s disease could put you at risk of getting a surfer's eye;
• Human papillomavirus (HPV);
• Diabetes. While there is no direct relation, on a metabolic level, high blood sugar could interfere with the health of the eye, making it more susceptible to ocular hypertension and surfer’s eye.

Who’s at Risk for Surfer’s Eye?

According to the World Health Organization, ground surfaces like water reflect sunlight at 25 percent, beach sand at 15 percent, with snow being the most dangerous, reflecting nearly 80 percent of harmful UV radiation. This means anyone who loves water sports, like surfers, or winter sports, like skiers, is at risk. Additionally, if you live in a sunny, arid climate and spend more than four hours a day in the sun without protection, you risk getting sunburned and a surfer's eyes.

Those from countries near the equator where the sun is always glaring are ten times more likely to suffer from pterygium. Higher incidences of the condition are also seen more in rural areas as people spend more time outdoors. Besides the location, other factors that make you vulnerable include:

• Genetics. You can inherit markers for the surfer's eye.
• Age. Those between 20 and 40 years of age must get every growth on their eyeball checked, as it could be a surfer's eye.
• Childhood. While it’s rare, children who play outside in the sun are also at risk. Get routine pediatric eye exams to rule out common ailments and get early detection for any growth on eyeballs.
• Gender. Men seem to get the condition more than women.
• Eye color. Light-colored eyes are deemed high-risk as they have less pigmentation to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays.

What Are the Symptoms of a Surfer's Eye?

You first notice the pink on the white conjunctiva, which you could mistake for pink eye or blepharitis. Yet the wing-shaped pink area is slightly raised a clear sign for the surfer's eye. Most cases of surfer’s eye are non-cancerous, and with early detection, the symptoms are easily controlled.

If left untreated, however, you could end up with a growth that’s unsightly, covers the cornea, and needs emergency eye care. You may also notice other signs that you or your kids need surfer’s eye treatment, such as:

• Sensation of gritty eyes or foreign objects inside the eye
• Burning eyes 
• Redness and eye inflammation
• Dry eyes 
• Difficulty putting on contact lenses 

Additionally, the growth of the cornea could cause blurry vision and headaches that could make activities requiring sharp vision challenging like reading and driving.

What Are the Options for Surfer’s Eye Treatment?

Based on the slit-lamp examination, your optometrist may recommend treatments that reduce the swelling and redness. For mild cases, lubricating or steroid eye drops and eye ointments are enough. For persistent swelling or redness, you may need anti-inflammatory medications.

If your vision is affected or there is unbearable discomfort, you may need a surfer’s eye surgery. The in-office surgery takes less than 30 minutes and could involve growth removal with or without a graft or amniotic membrane transplant. Recovery takes about a month.

Given there is a 30 to 40 percent chance of recurrence, you also need to take precautionary measures to prevent the condition from happening again, such as:

• Using UV 400 protection sunglasses.
• Wearing a wide-brim hat to shield your eyes and face when outside.
• Staying indoors when the rays of the sun are the strongest.
• Keeping your eyes hydrated using artificial tears.