Term: pterygium (pl pterygia) or
Surfer’s Eye
Literally
meaning: “small
wing”
Origin: Anc Greek
πτερόν/pteron(=wing) > πέτομαι/petomai (=fly)
-ίγιο/-ygio(=suffix used for
diminutives of nouns)
+( -um) =latin suffix that forms singular nouns
Coined/History
Definition
Pterygium is a
benign external growth of the conjunctiva (the surface tissue of the white of
the eye) usually growing from the nasal side of the sclera. If a pterygium is
large enough, it can lead to astigmatism because the alteration of cornea’s
shape.
