Eye Disease
Pterygium Ophthalmologic Disease
Pterygium is fibrovascular tissue growing
from degenerative conjunctival changes,
covering the cornea (the dark pupil area).
Initially just cosmetic, untreated pterygium can cause
corneal distortion leading to
astigmatism and reduced vision —
timely treatment matters.
Shinsegae's conjunctival autograft transplants the patient's own
healthy conjunctiva
to minimise recurrence and leave clear eyes
without surgical traces.
Main causes of pterygium
UV exposure
The leading cause — prolonged
UV exposure degenerates
conjunctival tissue.
External irritation
Fine dust, strong wind, dry air —
persistent irritants trigger
abnormal tissue growth in defence.
Genetic factors
With pterygium in family history,
the chance is relatively higher —
regular checkups are advised.
Main pterygium symptoms
Suspect pterygium if these symptoms appear
Visible signs
White membrane or red tissue beside the pupil in the mirror
Discomfort
Persistent gritty foreign-body sensation and stinging
Cosmetic
Eyes always look red and tired even when you're not
Reduced vision
Blurred vision or a sudden surge in astigmatism
Pterygium surgery & treatment
Tailored pterygium surgery that solves the root cause
Old approach vs Shinsegae
Aftercare and prevention matter as much as the surgery itself
Only the pterygium tissue is removed and
the sclera (white) is left exposed.
Short procedure, but during healing
the pterygium frequently regrows
(recurrence about 30-50%)
After precise pterygium removal,
healthy conjunctiva from the patient's upper eye
is precisely grafted in its place.
Minimised recurrence
The new tissue acts as a barrier,
preventing pterygium from regrowing
(recurrence around 1%).
Cosmetic satisfaction
Almost no scarring and redness clears fast —
cosmetically outstanding.