Pterygium is a common disease of the eye. It is a benign, wing-shaped growth that extends over the cornea. Pterygium can cause vision problems, irritation, and can be cosmetically unappealing when it is inflamed. Pterygium is caused by UV rays, ocular dryness, and dust.

Dr. Michel’s preferred technique for removal of pterygium is the Conjunctival Limbal Autograft, or CLAU, which has a 1% recurrence rate – a better-than-superior recurrence rate. (Average recurrence rates are 10-80%.)

Pterygium Recurrence after Surgery

It’s not uncommon to hear people sometimes say to not have Pterygium surgery because it will just come back. It’s a myth and is simply not true. Pterygium can, and is, removed in its entirety the first time. Dr. Michel continually proves it.

There are many instances, though, when Pterygium surgery performed by other ophthalmologists is not successful and the Pterygium comes back. This is called Recurrent Pterygium. It is often more aggressive the second time around, is more difficult to remove, and more often affects people under the age of 40 years.

This is why, when considering Pterygium removal surgery, it’s vitally important for patients to perform their own due diligence. When you consider a doctor to remove Recurrent Pterygium, ensure that the doctor has performed a high number of Pterygium surgeries, has low recurrence rates, and continually updates the techniques used to remove the Recurrent Pterygium.

Dr. Michel has perfected the most advanced and comfort-driven Pterygium removal techniques. He has performed thousands of Pterygium removal surgeries and is the most referred Pterygium doctor in the region for Recurrent Pterygium surgeries. Patients from all over the world travel to his offices in Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, and Sherman Oaks to have their Pterygium removed.

If you have Recurrent Pterygium after surgery elsewhere, schedule a consultation (in-person or online) with Dr. Michel. He not only eradicates Pterygium the first time, he will eradicate it the second time around if you have had your initial Pterygium removal surgery with another doctor.