What is pinguecula?

A pinguecula is a small, raised spot on the surface of the eye. It is usually white to yellowish in colour. It appears on the white of the eye close to the cornea (the clear front part of the eye). If the cornea is imagined as a clock face, a pinguecula will generally form at the three and nine o’clock positions. This condition becomes more common as people age, so that by 70 years most people have them.  Both eyes are usually affected.  It has no effect on vision.

This is a mild degenerative condition, due to long-term exposure to ultra-violet (UV) light, either occurring naturally in sunlight or artificially in some occupations. A pinguecula usually causes no symptoms, but if it becomes inflamed it may cause local redness of the eye and irritation or discomfort. Sometimes people complain of the cosmetic appearance.

How is pinguecula managed?

An optometrist will examine the eye carefully to confirm that the spot is a pinguecula and not another type of lump or cyst that can appear in the same area.  Once the diagnosis is made, the patient will be advised to limit UV exposure by wearing a hat and sunglasses when it is sunny. Artificial tears and lubricating ointment may be beneficial if the pinguecula causes irritation. If the pinguecula becomes inflamed, anti-inflammatory eye drops are sometimes recommended.  Sometimes patients ask for a pinguecula to be removed, which can be done by surgery or laser treatment. However as removal is usually considered cosmetic it is rarely performed by the NHS.