Pterygium. View of the eye of a 50 year old woman showing an overgrowth on the cornea known as pterygium. The thickened tissue is seen encroaching on

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Pterygium. View of the eye of a 50 year old woman showing an overgrowth on the cornea known as pterygium. The thickened tissue is seen encroaching on the iris (blue) and pupil (black) from the left. It has dragged some small blood vessels with it, which appear to be stretched towards the centre of the eye. The cornea is the bulge over the iris which plays the major role in focusing light onto the retina. If the extension of the cornea threatens the patient's vision, the pterygium should be surgically removed. This condition is most commonly seen in people from dry, hot and dusty climates and only rarely interferes with vision.

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Size: 5138px × 3523px
Photo credit: © DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: condition, cornea, disease, disorder, eye, healthcare, medical, medicine, ophthalmic, pterygium