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Miami Eye Institute — Surgery and Diseases of the Eye
Call: 954-251-1802

Pterygium & Pinguecula Surgery

Advanced surgical removal of pterygium and pinguecula with conjunctival autografting for excellent, long-lasting results.

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TRUSTED CREDENTIALS

  • Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
  • Conjunctival Autograft Technique
  • Outpatient Procedure
  • Low Recurrence Approach
Before and after photos of an eye, with a growth on the surface of the eye shown before surgery and gone after

A modern approach to removing eye surface growths.

Miami Eye Institute, under the care of Dr. Inna Ozerov, performs modern pterygium and pinguecula surgery for patients whose growths are causing discomfort, redness, vision problems, or significant cosmetic concerns.

A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth that extends from the white of the eye onto the cornea. When it becomes large, painful, chronically inflamed, or starts to affect vision, surgical removal is the recommended solution. A pinguecula — a smaller, raised, yellowish growth — typically does not require surgery but can be removed for cosmetic or symptomatic reasons in select cases.

Modern surgery uses a conjunctival autograft technique — replacing the area of removed tissue with a small graft of healthy tissue from another part of your own eye. This approach dramatically lowers the chance of regrowth compared with older methods. Miami Eye Institute proudly serves patients in Hollywood, Florida, Miami, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hallandale Beach, Aventura, Davie, Miramar, Cooper City, Weston, Plantation, and surrounding South Florida communities.

Typical outpatient procedure time.
~30 min
Autografting is the modern standard of care.
Conjunctival
Recurrence vs. older surgical techniques.
Significantly Lower
Outpatient surgery — no overnight stay.
Same Day

OUR APPROACH

How modern pterygium surgery works.

A successful pterygium removal depends on more than just removing tissue — it requires careful graft placement and meticulous post-operative care to minimize recurrence.

Dr. Inna Ozerov examining a patient at a slit lamp

  1. Pre-Operative Evaluation

    We measure the size and extent of the pterygium or pinguecula, assess its impact on vision and the tear film, and confirm that surgery is the right next step.

  2. Surgical Removal

    Under local anesthesia with sedation, Dr. Ozerov carefully removes the growth from the surface of the eye, taking care to fully address the abnormal tissue.

  3. Conjunctival Autograft

    A small piece of healthy conjunctiva is taken from another area of the same eye and gently positioned to cover the removed area. This step is the key to reducing recurrence.

  4. Recovery & Follow-Up Care

    Most patients return home the same day. Prescription drops are used for several weeks, and follow-up visits monitor healing and confirm a smooth, healthy ocular surface.

Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Inna Ozerov

Dr. Inna Ozerov is a board-certified ophthalmologist serving patients across Hollywood, Florida, Miami, Florida, and surrounding communities including Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hallandale Beach, Aventura, Davie, and Miramar. She specializes in pterygium and pinguecula surgery, conjunctival autograft techniques, and broader surgical care of the ocular surface, providing personalized, evidence-based care for every patient.

Contact Inna Ozerov
Get directions to 7700 Davie Road Ext

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT

Get expert care for surface growths on the eye.

If a pterygium is growing toward your cornea, affecting your vision, or causing ongoing irritation, surgery may be the right step. Modern removal with a conjunctival autograft takes about 30 minutes and has a much lower chance of the growth returning.

  • Comprehensive surgical consultation with Dr. Ozerov
  • A clear understanding of expected outcomes
  • A personalized surgical and recovery plan

Schedule a Consultation

For more information or to schedule an appointment, fill out this form.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common questions about pterygium and pinguecula surgery.

Thinking about pterygium surgery? These answers cover the procedure, recovery, and what you can do to keep the growth from coming back.

When is pterygium surgery necessary?
Surgery is recommended when a pterygium grows large enough to affect vision, induces significant astigmatism, causes chronic redness or inflammation, repeatedly becomes uncomfortable, or causes substantial cosmetic concern that affects quality of life.
How is the surgery performed?
Surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia and mild sedation. The pterygium is carefully removed from the surface of the eye, and a small graft of healthy conjunctiva from the same eye is gently placed over the area to lower the risk of regrowth.
What is a conjunctival autograft?
A conjunctival autograft uses a small piece of your own healthy conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white of the eye) to cover the area where the pterygium was removed. This modern technique significantly reduces recurrence compared with older surgical methods.
Is the procedure painful?
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during surgery. Mild discomfort, watering, and a foreign-body sensation are common during the first few days of healing and are managed with prescription drops.
How long is recovery?
Most patients return to light activities within a couple of days, with prescription drops continuing for several weeks. Full healing of the ocular surface takes a few weeks. You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting, swimming, and eye rubbing during recovery.
Can the pterygium come back?
Older surgical techniques had high recurrence rates. Modern conjunctival autograft surgery has reduced recurrence dramatically. Continued sun protection, lubrication, and follow-up care help keep recurrence rates low.
Is pinguecula surgery available?
Yes — though pinguecula removal is less common, it can be performed for cosmetic reasons or for chronic irritation that doesn’t respond to medical treatment. Dr. Ozerov serves patients across Hollywood, Florida, Miami, Florida, and surrounding communities with full-spectrum surface surgery care.

Still have questions?

Dr. Inna Ozerov will personally evaluate your eyes and help you understand the best path forward for pterygium and pinguecula surgical removal. Serving patients throughout Hollywood, Florida, Miami, Florida, and surrounding South Florida communities.

Contact Inna Ozerov