13320 Riverside Dr., #114Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

(818) 501-3937

2625 W. Alameda Ave., #208Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 845-3557

BURBANK

SHERMAN OAKS

PATIENTS GUIDEFOR THE TREATMENT OF

PTERYGIUM

www.bergfeinfield.com

Robert E. Feinfield, M.D.

tory drops for one week. Thereafter mild, verysafe steroid drops are used for a few weeks in atapering dose.

In the past, doctors were often reluctant torecommend surgery for these growths due topatient discomfort and high recurrence rates.Today our techniques have provided a very com-fortable experience with very low recurrencerates.

Before surgery

After surgery

Dr. Robert Feinfield is aboard certified ophthalmol-ogist specializing in micro-surgery of Pterygium andPingueculum. When veryfew eye surgeons had aninterest in the treatment ofthese bothersome growths,Dr. Feinfield made it one ofhis goals to develop treat-ments and techniques tosuccessfully remedy these

inflammatory and potentially sight-threatening lesions.His pioneering work with amniotic membrane grafting,conjunctival grafting, and biologic glue has enabled Dr.Feinfield to treat these growths with excellent cosmeticresults and very low recurrence rates. His suture-lesssurgery provides for a painless and easy post-operativecourse, enabling patients to return to work and play in amatter of days.

Dr. Feinfield has lectured widely to doctors and otherhealth care professionals on the subject of Pterygiumand Pingueculum. In addition to the treatment of theseinflammatory lesions, Dr. Feinfield is widely regarded asa specialist in small incision cataract surgery andadvanced intraocular lenses, having been featured onthe Discovery Health Channel.

An honors graduate of the University of California, SanFrancisco School of Medicine, Dr. Feinfield performedhis ophthalmology residency at the Ochsner/LSU EyeCenter in New Orleans. Dr. Feinfield has served asChairman of Ophthalmology, Providence St. JosephMedical Center and is currently an appointed ExpertReviewer for the California Medical Board.

Dr. Feinfield is the founder of Music4Sight, benefitingvision impaired musicians, and is also an advisor andvolunteer faculty member for ORBIS International, theFlying Eye Hospital.

When not in the office, Dr. Feinfield enjoys golf, flyfishing, producing music, and spending time with hiswife and three boys.

Robert Feinfield, M.D. Pterygium & Pingueculum

Do you have an unsightly, yellow or red, irritat-ed growth on the surface of your eye? Does youreye tear, burn or have a chronic gritty foreign bodysensation?

You may have a Pterygium or Pingueculum. APingueculum is an elevated often yellowish growthon the white of the eye. A Pterygium is an inflam-matory, fibro-vascular growth that extends fromthe white (sclera) of the eye on to the cornea.They also occur most often in the horizontal axisfrom the nasal portion of the eye to the cornea; thelens overlying the iris (the colored part of the eye).

Pingueculum

Pterygium

Though genetics may play a role in the devel-opment of these growths, environmental exposuresto wind, dust, allergens, and particularly the sun(ultraviolet radiation) are important risk factors.Chronic inflammation can lead to enlargement ofthese lesions along with redness, tearing, itching,and general discomfort. They can make wearingcontact lenses uncomfortable. They can grow onto the visual axis resulting in scarring and astigma-tism (irregular shape of the cornea), and ultimate-ly to loss of vision. In very rare instances they candegenerate into malignancy, and are cosmeticallyunattractive.

TreatmentPingueculae and Pterygia can be initially

treated with lubricants such as artificial tears.Medications such as non-steroidal and steroiddrops are also often used to suppress swelling andinflammation. However, if the lesion continues tocause bothersome symptoms or demonstrate persis-tant growth, surgery is often indicated.

Microsurgery of these growths can now bedone very safely and comfortably. Utilizinglocal/topical anesthesia and mild sedation, theselesions can be removed as an outpatient in our eyesurgery center. Current techniques have enabledus to remove pinguecula and pterygia with virtual-ly no pain or discomfort and result in an excellentoutcome with very low risk of recurrence. Withthe use of amniotic membrane grafting (the innerlining of the placenta) placed on the area ofremoval with a biologic glue avoid’s the use ofsutures. Along with anti-inflammatory medication,the results and comfort have been outstanding. Insome instances where lesions are very inflamed orhave recurred from prior surgery, the conjunctiva(the mucous membrane lining of the eye) can beharvested and moved to another part of the eye toassist in healing and prevent recurrence.Sometimes both amniotic membrane and conjunc-tiva are used.

Postoperatively patients are patched overnightand then placed on antibiotic and anti-inflamma-