Pterygium (or Surfer’s eye) is a wedge or triangular-shaped tissue flap that starts growing on the conjunctiva of the eye. It is elevated and also contains blood vessels. Pterygium starts developing from the nasal side of the conjunctiva and extends onto the cornea. It is a benign or non-cancerous growth whose size and color can vary from small to large, depending upon the case. The color of pterygium ranges from pink, white, yellow, gray to red. It can develop in one eye or both the eyes. Homeopathy offers a safe and effective treatment for pterygium and helps manage symptoms like itching, grittiness, burning, and redness in the eyes. Argentum Nitricum, Arsenic Album, and Belladonna are the top homeopathic remedies used to treat pterygium.
Homeopathic Treatment of Pterygium
Homeopathic medicines help control the tissue overgrowth in the eyes. These are also very useful in treating pterygium that is recurrent. There are different medicines used to treat pterygium, and these are selected as per individual case assessment. All the homeopathic remedies for pterygium are prepared from naturally occurring substances and are free from any toxic side effects.
Homeopathic Medicines for Pterygium
Argentum Nitricum – Natural Medicine for Pterygium that is Pink
Argentum Nitricum is a well indicated homeopathic medicine for pterygium that is pink in color. It causes the eyes to become red and swollen, and there may be associated itching and biting sensation in the eyes. In some cases, there is a sensation of dryness and heat in the eyes.
Arsenic Album – Natural Remedy for Pterygium with Burning Sensation in Eyes
Arsenic Album is a natural homeopathic medicine for pterygium that is considered in cases where there is a burning sensation in the eyes. The burning in eyes is worse during the night, particularly after midnight. Along with this, marked dryness of the eyelids is present. The eyes become red and congested along with the above symptoms.
Belladonna – Homeopathic Medicine for Pterygium with Redness of Eyes
Belladonna is homeopathic treatment prepared from a plant called Deadly Nightshade. It belongs to the natural order Solanaceae. It is an effective medicine in cases of pterygium accompanied by redness of the eyes. There is a heated sensation in the eyes along with dryness. In some cases, there may be a sand-like sensation in the eyes. There may be itching and scratching along with sensitivity to light.
Euphrasia – Homeopathic Remedy for Pterygium with Itching and Gritty Sensation in Eyes
Euphrasia is a natural homeopathic remedy prepared from a plant Euphrasia Officinalis, commonly known as Eye-Bright. This plant belongs to the natural order Scrophulariaceae. Euphrasia works well in cases of pterygium cases where there is a prominent itching and gritty sensation in the eyes. A sensation of having dust, sand, or hair in the eyes is markedly present. Burning and acrid lachrymation (tears) is another attending feature in cases of pterygium needing Euphrasia.
Nux Moschata – Effective Homeopathic Medicine for Pterygium that Extends over the Cornea
Nux Moschata offers a natural treatment for pterygium and is prepared from the seeds of the nutmeg plant. This plant belongs to the natural order Myristicaceae. Nux Moschata is an important homeopathic medicine for pterygium that extends over the cornea. A sensation of fullness may be felt in the eyes, and the eyes may feel too dry in most cases.
Sulphur – Effective Homeopathic Remedy for Itching, Burning in the Eyes
Sulfur is a well-indicated homeopathic medicine for itching and burning in eyes. This itching in most cases becomes worse during the evening hours. There is a sensation of a foreign body or sand in the eyes, along with a biting sensation. There may be occasional stitching or stinging in the eyes along with lachrymation in the open air.
Ammonium Bromatum – Natural Homeopathic Remedy for Red, Sore Eyes
Ammonium Bromatum is a homeopathic medicine used in cases of pterygium where a person has red and sore eyes. This redness and soreness is most marked during the morning. Another attending feature is a sand-like sensation the eyes along with smarting of the eyes.
Merc Sol – For Pterygium with Burning, Itching, and Redness of Eyes
Homeopathic medicine Merc Sol is used to treat pterygium attended with burning, itching, and redness of eyes. Burning in the eyes is most marked in the open air. Profuse burning lachrymation (tears) may also be present.
Zincum Met – Natural Treatment for Pterygium Growing Rapidly
Zincum Met is a useful homeopathic medicine for arresting the progress of a rapidly growing pterygium. The pterygium is quite thick and vascular. Lachrymation during the evening time may be present. There may be redness of the eyes, soreness, and heat in the eyes that gets worse with the cold air and itching in the eyes during the night. Tickling in the eyes as from dust may accompany the above features.
Causes of Pterygium
The exact cause of pterygium is not known, but there are many factors that predispose a person to develop the condition. The major contributing factors include excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, frequent exposure to sandy and dusty environment for long durations, and living in areas with a warm climate. The incidence of pterygium is most high among the people of age group between 20 to 40 years. The chances of pterygium are twice as high in males as compared to females.
Signs and Symptoms of Pterygium
The major sign of Pterygium is a painless, raised tissue growth on the conjunctiva. Pterygium doesn’t always cause any symptoms. When the symptoms in a case of pterygium appear, they mainly include irritation in the eyes, burning in the eyes, redness in the eyes, a sensation of a foreign body in the eyes and a gritty sensation in the eyes. It may affect the vision if the growth extends onto the cornea.
