Corneal surgery · London
Pterygium surgery, with a conjunctival autograft.
A day case removal of the wing shaped growth on the white of your eye, done by a consultant corneal surgeon under topical anaesthetic, with a free conjunctival autograft or amniotic membrane. Recurrence stays under 10 per cent.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named corneal surgeon, not a general list
A consultant corneal and external eye disease specialist with a high pterygium volume, and a low published recurrence rate.
- 02
Conjunctival autograft as standard
We only place patients with surgeons who use autograft or amniotic membrane. No bare sclera. Recurrence stays under 10 per cent.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the introduction is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private pterygium surgery costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our vetted London corneal surgeons. Send us a photograph and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A unilateral pterygium excision with autograft in our network: £2,400 to £4,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation, slit lamp and corneal topography | £280–£450 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Unilateral primary excision with conjunctival autograft | £2,400–£4,500 | 30–45 min | Same day |
| Bilateral primary excision with autograft (staged or combined) | £4,200–£7,500 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Recurrent pterygium with mitomycin C 0.02 per cent | £3,500–£5,800 | 45–60 min | Same day |
| Amniotic membrane transplant (large or recurrent) | £3,200–£5,400 | 45–60 min | Same day |
| Pinguecula cosmetic excision | £1,600–£2,800 | 20–30 min | Same day |
Prices vary by hospital, by which corneal surgeon does the case, and by whether adjunctive mitomycin C or amniotic membrane is used. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The journey
From first photo to final review, what happens, in order.
One team from first message through the drop taper and three month review.
- 01
Before
You send us a photo of the eye
A short, confidential form with one clear photo of the eye and any prior optician or ophthalmology notes.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether excision is indicated now, or observation with lubricants and UV protection is the safer call.
- 03
Before
Slit lamp and topography
A consultation with slit lamp examination, corneal topography to quantify induced astigmatism, and photographs for the record.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the day unit
Arrival, consent, topical anaesthetic drops and a subconjunctival injection of lidocaine. No general anaesthetic for routine cases.
- 05
On the day
Excision and autograft
30 to 45 minutes. Pterygium excised, superior bulbar conjunctival autograft harvested and secured with fibrin glue or fine sutures.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A clear plastic shield or pad for the first night, written aftercare, and home within a couple of hours.
- 07
After
Drops and review
Topical steroid and antibiotic drops for four weeks on a taper. Reviews at one week, one month and three months, then annual UV counselling.
When it helps
Indications for pterygium excision.
The clinical thresholds we use, plus the atypical findings that trigger excision biopsy rather than observation.
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Encroachment on the visual axis
The head of the pterygium is within 3 mm of the pupillary axis and starting to obscure or distort central vision.
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Induced astigmatism over 1.00 D
The pterygium is flattening the cornea and driving symptomatic against the rule astigmatism confirmed on topography.
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Recurrent inflammation and grittiness
Repeated episodes of redness, foreign body sensation and hyperaemia that no longer settle with lubricants alone.
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Restricted ocular motility
A fleshy or long standing pterygium tethering the eye and causing diplopia in gaze, especially on abduction.
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Contact lens intolerance
A raised nasal lesion lifting the edge of a soft or RGP lens and making comfortable wear impossible.
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Cosmetic concern
A visible, vascular growth on the white of the eye that the patient finds socially distressing, discussed openly at the assessment.
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Atypical or pigmented lesion
Any atypical, thickened or pigmented conjunctival lesion needs excision biopsy to exclude ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN).
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Red flag: rapid growth in weeks
A conjunctival lesion enlarging rapidly, bleeding spontaneously or associated with a nodule needs urgent corneal referral, not a routine booking.
Technique options
Autograft, amniotic membrane, and when to add mitomycin C.
The options a corneal surgeon will discuss at your consent, and why bare sclera should not be one of them.
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Excision with conjunctival autograft
The gold standard. Pterygium excised, a free graft harvested from the superior bulbar conjunctiva and secured over the bare sclera. Recurrence under 10 per cent.
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Amniotic membrane transplant
Human amniotic membrane covers the defect. Equally low recurrence, no donor site, useful in large pterygia or when the superior conjunctiva must be preserved for future glaucoma surgery.
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Fibrin glue versus sutures
Fibrin glue (Tisseel) fixes the graft in seconds, reduces theatre time and gives less post operative discomfort than 10-0 vicryl sutures. Both are acceptable.
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Adjunctive mitomycin C 0.02 per cent
A single intraoperative application under the graft for recurrent pterygia, young patients or fleshy vascular lesions. Reserved for high recurrence risk cases.
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Bare sclera technique (avoided)
Historical technique with 30 to 50 per cent recurrence. We do not place patients with surgeons who still offer it as a primary option.
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Pinguecula excision
For a raised yellow conjunctival lesion short of the cornea. Usually managed with lubricants and UV protection first, with excision reserved for chronic irritation or cosmesis.
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Combined pterygium and cataract
When a significant pterygium and a visually significant cataract coexist, the pterygium is usually removed first, then topography repeated at least four weeks later to plan the IOL.
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Second opinion review
A specialist review of your photograph, topography and prior records. Sometimes the answer is watchful waiting with UV protection, not surgery.
Our vetted London network
Corneal surgeons at the units that do this well.
Consultant corneal and external eye disease specialists at Moorfields Private Corneal Service, HCA The Wellington Ophthalmology, Cadogan Clinic, London Medical, One Welbeck Eye Care, Cromwell Hospital (BUPA Ophthalmology) and London Bridge Hospital Eye Service.
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Consultant corneal and external eye disease surgeons, not general ophthalmology lists
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Autograft or amniotic membrane as standard, with a published recurrence rate under 10 per cent
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Fibrin glue or fine suture technique, patient choice discussed at consent
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Access to intraoperative mitomycin C and amniotic membrane for recurrent and high risk cases
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards, honestly.
A well established day case procedure. The things worth planning are the first week of grittiness, the four week drop taper, and lifelong UV protection.
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Topical anaesthesia in most cases
Drops plus a subconjunctival injection of lidocaine. General anaesthetic is only used for anxious patients or complex recurrent cases.
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Recurrence is the main long term risk
Under 10 per cent with autograft or amniotic membrane. Higher in young patients, fleshy vascular lesions and heavy UV exposure.
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Graft displacement in the first week
A rare early complication (1 to 2 per cent), usually from rubbing the eye. Reattachment in theatre if it happens.
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Discomfort for three to five days
A gritty, watery, light sensitive eye is normal for the first few days. Simple analgesia and preservative free lubricants help.
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Steroid response and raised pressure
A minority of patients get a rise in intraocular pressure from the topical steroid. Pressure is checked at every review during the four week taper.
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Corneal scarring at the excision site
A faint stromal scar at the old head of the pterygium is common and usually visually insignificant.
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Return to work in 3 to 7 days
Office work in three to five days, screen breaks and lubricants. Contact sports and swimming after four weeks. Driving once vision is clear and comfortable.
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UV protection for life
Wraparound UV400 sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat and lubricants in dusty or windy environments. The single biggest protective factor against recurrence.
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Red flags after discharge
Sudden loss of vision, severe pain, a graft that looks displaced, or a rapidly growing red lesion within weeks of surgery. Call the unit the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the corneal surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Header
Laterality, size and morphology
Which eye, the horizontal extent onto the cornea in millimetres, and whether the pterygium was fleshy and vascular or atrophic and quiet.
- 02 Technique
Excision, graft and fixation
Pterygium excision, autograft or amniotic membrane, donor site (superior bulbar conjunctiva), fixation with fibrin glue or 10-0 vicryl, and any adjunctive mitomycin C.
- 03 Findings
Astigmatism and completeness
Preoperative and planned postoperative topography, whether the corneal surface was completely cleared, and any peroperative complications.
- 04 Impression
Drop plan and review interval
Read this first: the steroid and antibiotic taper, review dates at one week, one month and three months, and UV protection counselling.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for pterygium surgery varies by insurer and by indication. Usually funded when medically indicated (visual axis, astigmatism, motility) rather than purely cosmetic. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about pterygium surgery.
Quick answers on technique, recurrence, mitomycin C and cost.
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What is a pterygium and why does it need surgery?
A pterygium is a wing shaped fibrovascular growth of the bulbar conjunctiva that creeps onto the cornea, usually nasally, and is strongly associated with lifelong UV, wind and dust exposure. Nicknamed surfer’s eye. Surgery is indicated when it encroaches on the visual axis, drives symptomatic astigmatism, restricts eye movement, prevents contact lens wear, causes recurrent inflammation, or is a persistent cosmetic concern.
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What is the gold standard technique?
Pterygium excision with a conjunctival autograft, harvested from the superior bulbar conjunctiva of the same eye and secured to the scleral defect with fibrin glue or fine sutures. Recurrence stays under 10 per cent, compared with 30 to 50 per cent for the older bare sclera technique.
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When is amniotic membrane used instead?
For large pterygia, recurrent pterygia, or when the superior bulbar conjunctiva must be preserved for future glaucoma filtration surgery. Recurrence rates with amniotic membrane are similar to autograft in experienced hands, and there is no donor site morbidity.
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How much does private pterygium surgery cost in the UK?
Unilateral primary excision with a conjunctival autograft is roughly £2,400 to £4,500. Bilateral surgery is £4,200 to £7,500. Recurrent pterygium with adjunctive mitomycin C is £3,500 to £5,800. Consultation with slit lamp and topography is £280 to £450.
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Will the pterygium come back?
With modern autograft or amniotic membrane technique, under 10 per cent of primary pterygia recur, usually within the first twelve months. Recurrence risk is higher in patients under 40, in fleshy vascular pterygia, and with ongoing tropical UV exposure. Wraparound UV400 sunglasses and lubricants are the single biggest protective factor.
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Where in the UK can I have this done privately?
Consultant corneal surgeons offer pterygium surgery at Moorfields Private Corneal Service, HCA The Wellington Ophthalmology, Cadogan Clinic, London Medical, One Welbeck Eye Care, Cromwell Hospital (BUPA Ophthalmology) and London Bridge Hospital Eye Service. We introduce you to a named surgeon whose recurrence rate we have checked.
Ready to be seen
Send us a photograph. We come back within a working day with a named corneal surgeon and a firm price.
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