Look & Feel Your Best

Premium Pterygium Removal in Queensland

Q: How long does the procedure take?

The procedure typically takes less than 20 minutes per eye . After pterygium surgery, steroid eye drops are often prescribed to reduce inflammation as the conjunctiva tissue heals, especially before resuming contact lens wear .

Q: Are both eyes treated on the same day?

No. We prefer to operate on each eye on separate days to minimise the risk of cross contamination and maximise rebates from Medicare and your insurer . If the other eye needs surgery it can be scheduled as soon as a week or two later.

Q: I'm scared of eye surgery - do I have to be awake?

No, our surgeons offer heavy twilight sedation delivered by a consultant anaesthetic doctor. Most patients sleep deeply through the surgery and have no memory of it.

Q: Is the recovery painful?

No, most patients experience minimal discomfort . Some irritation on the first night is common, and sometimes there can be mild discomfort for a few days. The glue technique has significantly improved this recovery experience.

Q: What is the recovery process like?

Most patients can resume normal activities and driving within a few days . Some return to work in a few days, but taking a week off is reasonable, particularly if your work exposes you to dirt and dust . Your eye will look red for 2–6 weeks after surgery while it heals.

Advantages of “Premium” Pterygium Surgery

Premium Pterygium Surgery offers several key advantages over traditional pterygium surgery:

Improved Appearance

Premium pterygium surgery can remove redness in your eyes so you can look and feel your best. Often its a benigh growth onto the cornea that was caused by too much UV light.

No Stitches

Standard pterygium surgery uses stitches on your eye, making the recovery long and painful. Our surgical procedures use glue for reduced recovery time.

You'll be Asleep

At Focus Vision, you can relax in the comfort of knowing your surgery will be performed with you heavily sedated and essentially asleep.

Experienced Surgeons

All our surgeons at Focus Vision are internationally trained corneal subspecialists. This means they have extra training and expertise in operating on the part of your eye where the pterygium is.

Dr. David Gunn operating a machine for premium pterygium surgery in Brisbane with no-stitches approach

Pterygium Removal

Pterygium excision is performed to remove abnormal tissue that forms on the conjunctiva , often caused by long-term exposure to UV light, wind, or dust. It is often called surfer's eye and can affect vision.

Unlike cataract surgery, which involves the internal lens of the eye, pterygium surgery targets the eye's surface. A conjunctival graft is placed to cover the area where the growth was removed, and with modern no-stitches techniques, tissue glue is used instead of sutures, offering faster recovery and lower recurrence rates. During follow-up, a slit lamp is used to examine the healing process. Patients may wear an eye patch temporarily after surgery to protect the eye and prevent infection as it heals.

Pterygium Removed Using Glue

Choosing Focus Vision for your premium pterygium surgery in Brisbane, means choosing to avoid sutures in a no-stitches approach. During pterygium excision, a graft of skin is taken from the top of your eye under the eye lid. This graft is then placed over the area where the pterygium was removed to stop it from growing back. There is no foreign body sensation.

The standrad way to secure this graft is to use 7-10 small nylon or vicryl (reabsorbing) sutures. Unfortunately, these are very irritating in the eye, cause more inflammation and lead to a long period of recovery.

A newer technique is to use fibrin glue to attach the graft and avoid the issues from the stitches. This leads to less pain, shorter recovery and in our hands, improved cosmetic outcomes. You can rest assured that by investing in your vision at Focus, you are doing everything possible to maximise your recovery and appearance after surgery.

Close-up of eyes before pterygium surgery with no-stitches approach

Are You a Candidate for Premium Pterygium Surgery?

Pterygium is very common in Queensland - we have some of the highest rates in the world due to our levels of UV light exposure.

Premium Pterygium Surgery is ideal for individuals who have noticed:

Their pterygium tissue is growing larger and they cannot wear contact lenses.
The fleshy growth has a red appearance that comes and goes or is cosmetically unappealing.
There is irritation or dryness from the pterygium.
Their vision is being affected or their glasses prescription is getting stronger from the pterygium.
You want an outpatient procedure and you want to fix your vision problems.

Schedlue a Consultation

Blue icon of eyes showing pterygium for no-stitches pterygium surgery

The Premium Pterygium Surgery Procedure

Premium Pterygium Surgery is a safe and effective treatment that typically takes less than 20 minutes per eye. AYour operation will be performed in an accredited day hospital with a team of nurses and doctors looking after you. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and sedation which means you will be heavily sedated.

During the procedure, the pterygium is carefully removed from the front of your eye and a graft of skin is collected and then secured with fibrin glue.

Blue medical billing icon representing cost and financing for no-stitches pterygium surgery

Cost and Financing Options for Premium Pterygium Surgery

The cost of Premium Pterygium Surgery can vary depending on your insurance level. If you have held private hospital insurance that covers pterygium surgery (Item numbers 42686 and 42641) for at least 12 months you will be able to use this to fund some of your treatment. Our practice offers transparent pricing and flexible financing options to make Premium Pterygium Surgery accessible to all patients. During your consultation, we will provide you with a detailed cost estimate based on your specific needs.

Common questions about Premium Pterygium Surgery:

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure typically takes less than 20 minutes per eye. After pterygium surgery, steroid eye drops are often prescribed to reduce inflammation as the conjunctiva tissue heals, especially before resuming contact lens wear.

Are both eyes treated on the same day?

No. We prefer to operate on each eye on separate days to minimise the risk of cross contamination and maximise rebates from Medicare and your insurer. If the other eye needs surgery it can be scheduled as soon as a week or two later.

I'm scared of eye surgery - do I have to be awake?

No, our surgeons offer heavy twilight sedation delivered by a consultant anaesthetic doctor. Most patients sleep deeply through the surgery and have no memory of it.

Is the recovery painful?

No, most patients experience minimal discomfort. Some irritation on the first night is common, and sometimes there can be mild discomfort for a few days. The glue technique has significantly improved this recovery experience.

What is the recovery process like?

Most patients can resume normal activities and driving within a few days. Some return to work in a few days, but taking a week off is reasonable, particularly if your work exposes you to dirt and dust. Your eye will look red for 2–6 weeks after surgery while it heals.

How long does pterygium surgery last?

Premium pterygium surgery is generally only needed once per eye. There is a very small chance of recurrence (around 1 in 1000). Wearing UV sunglasses lowers this risk. When outdoors, wear UV protective sunglasses.

Laser eye surgery experts Dr Brendan Cronin and Dr David Gunn standing at clinic reception.

Hi, we're Dr. David Gunn and Dr. Brendan Cronin, the specialist laser and cataract surgeons at Focus Vision in Brisbane.

With a shared commitment to exceptional care, we specialise in advanced corneal surgery techniques, ensuring that every patient receives personalised treatment of the highest standard. Our extensive training and experience in corneal surgery enable us to address a wide range of eye conditions with precision and care.

At Focus Vision, we understand the importance of clear vision and its impact on your quality of life. That's why we are passionate about helping our patients achieve the best possible vision correction results, whether through LASIK, premium cataract surgery, or other advanced procedures. We are here to guide you through every step of the process, providing professional and reassuring care along the way. We believe that successful outcomes are the result of a collaborative approach between patient and surgeon. That's why we take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and tailor our treatment plans to meet your specific needs. Our goal is not just to improve your vision, but to enhance your overall well-being, allowing you to enjoy life with clear, comfortable vision.

Dr David Gunn | MBBS (Hons), BSc, CertLRS, FWCRS, FRANZCO
Dr Brendan Cronin | MBBS (Hons), DipOphthSci, B.Com, LLB, FRANZCO

Book A Free Assessment today