If you’ve had pterygium surgery—or you’re prone to developing “surfer’s eye”—you already know how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be. Pterygium is a benign, wing-shaped growth of tissue on the white of the eye that can extend onto the cornea, affecting vision and causing chronic irritation. While surgery can effectively remove the growth, preventing recurrence is just as important—and that’s where your daily habits come in.

Below are eight practical lifestyle strategies to help protect your eyes, reduce irritation, and minimize the risk of pterygium returning. Plus, we’ll cover how certain elective procedures, like LASIK, may or may not be appropriate depending on your eye health history.

1. 🕶️ Shield Your Eyes from the Sun

UV exposure is one of the primary causes of pterygium. Wearing sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection is a non-negotiable step in prevention. Look for wraparound styles that block sunlight from the sides, or pair standard sunglasses with a wide-brimmed hat to reduce overall exposure, especially in high-UV environments like the beach, snow, or desert.

☀️ Pro Tip: Pterygium is especially common in people who spend a lot of time outdoors—surfers, farmers, construction workers, and athletes are all at higher risk. Make sun protection part of your daily routine.

2. 🌬️ Reduce Exposure to Wind and Dust

Dry, dusty, or windy conditions can irritate the ocular surface and contribute to inflammation that encourages pterygium growth. Whether you’re biking, hiking, working outdoors, or traveling in arid climates, wear protective glasses or goggles to shield your eyes from airborne irritants.

3. 💧 Keep Your Eyes Moist

Chronic dry eye can worsen inflammation and make your eyes more vulnerable to environmental triggers. Use preservative-free artificial tears regularly to maintain healthy moisture levels, especially if you spend a lot of time in air-conditioned spaces, high-altitude environments, or on digital devices.

4. 🚭 Avoid Smoking

Smoking contributes to eye dryness, oxidative stress, and increased inflammation—all of which are known to aggravate or encourage the return of pterygium. If you smoke, quitting can significantly improve your eye health and reduce your chances of recurrence.

5. 💻 Take Breaks from Screens

Prolonged screen time can reduce blinking, leading to tear film evaporation and dryness. Practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps reduce eye fatigue and promotes better tear distribution.

6. 🥤 Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can reduce tear production and contribute to dry eye symptoms. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day to support tear production and keep the eye surface moist and healthy.

7. 🥗 Eat Eye-Friendly Foods

A diet high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc can support long-term eye health and reduce inflammation. Some top picks include:

  • Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
  • Colorful veggies (carrots, bell peppers)
  • Fatty fish (salmon, sardines)
  • Nuts and seeds (chia, flax, walnuts)
  • Citrus fruits and berries

These nutrients can help strengthen the eye’s natural defenses and possibly reduce the likelihood of abnormal tissue regrowth.

8. 🩺 Follow Your Eye Care Plan

Post-surgery, your ophthalmologist may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops, recommend routine follow-up visits, or give specific lifestyle instructions. Adhering closely to this care plan is crucial to monitor healing, detect early signs of recurrence, and address them promptly.

👁️‍🗨️ What About LASIK Eye Surgery?

If you’re considering LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) to correct your vision, it’s important to discuss your pterygium history with your eye surgeon.

🔍 Key Considerations:

  • Active or recurring pterygium is a contraindication for LASIK. This type of laser eye surgery Brisbane requires a healthy corneal surface, and pterygium can interfere with this.
  • Previous pterygium surgery may affect your candidacy for LASIK depending on the amount of scarring or changes in corneal shape.
  • In some cases, PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)—another type of refractive surgery—may be a safer option since it doesn’t involve creating a corneal flap like LASIK does.
  • Patients with a history of chronic eye irritation or dryness—common in pterygium cases—may be at higher risk of post-LASIK dry eye syndrome.

✅ Best Practice:

Always have a full ocular surface evaluation before considering LASIK. Your ophthalmologist will check for:

  • Corneal thickness and shape
  • Signs of dryness or inflammation
  • Scar tissue or irregularities from previous surgery

💡 Bottom Line: LASIK can be a great option for some, but for patients with a history of pterygium or dry eye, it’s crucial to be thoroughly assessed by a refractive surgery specialist.

🧾 Final Thoughts

Pterygium may have a tendency to return, but with the right habits, you can dramatically lower the risk of recurrence. Sun protection, hydration, good nutrition, and proper eye care all go a long way toward maintaining clear, healthy vision. If you’re thinking about elective procedures like LASIK, talk to your eye doctor about how your history may affect your options.

A few small changes to your daily routine can have a lasting impact on your eye health—so start today.