September 2012
I first noticed an issue in my right eye in late 2012. I made a couple visits to a Kaiser optometrist and then an ophthalmologist who recommended no further medical treatment be taken because it was not affecting my vision. The pterygium growth was too small to make any significant damage to vision and eyes. I used lubricant eye drops throughout the year and was careful of sun exposure to the eyes.
January 2014
I was not comfortable with the pterygium growth, so early 2014 I visited Dr. Nanduri who found the pterygium growing on the right side of my right eye. Dr. Nanduri treated my dry eyes to avoid any further growth of the pterygium and to avoid any surgery. Also, treating my dry eyes would prep my eyes in case pterygium removal needed to be done.
I had punctal plugs installed.
I was prescribed Restastis.
I was given Omega 3 fish oil capsules to take daily (4 capsules).
Dr. Nanduri did a scraping of the lids to prepare for optimal results of the upcoming LipiFlow treatment.
I had LipiFlow done.
I had tests and scans done showing that the pterygium was affecting my vision (cornea curvature?) so a decision was made to undergo surgery to remove the pterygium.
October 2014
The pterygium in my right eye was removed. An amnio graft was used to prevent regrowth. I was prescribed tobradex (nightly ointment) and prednisone (steroid drops during the day). Kenalog was used also.
About a couple months of recovery, there was redness outside of the surgery site. We stopped all steroid drops and ointments because we assumed this was causing high ocular pressure. Although it did relieve the ocular pressure, stopping the steroid drops did not reduce the redness. I went to Dr Schanzlin for a second opinion. He said to wait 6-7 months because everyone's recovery process is different.
June 2014
Frequent follow ups with Dr. Nanduri involved:
- allergy testing (results: no allergies)
- scraping of surface of eyes for any abnormal growth that may be causing inflammation (enzyme or protein) (results: inconclusive results because initial results showed that right eye was producing some protein that causes inflammation, but 2nd scrape test a month later showed eyes were not producing any protein causing inflammation)
- prescribed antibiotic doxycycline to take for the next 3 months, one pill daily
