Which term describes the abnormal conjunctival growth that occurs at the limbus and extends onto the cornea?

• A. Puncta
• B. Pterygium
• C. Retina
• D. Semilunar Fold

Answer: (B)

Pterygium describes an abnormal conjunctival growth that begins at the limbus and extends onto the cornea. It’s a fibrovascular sheet that typically starts on the nasal side and can gradually encroach onto the corneal surface, sometimes causing astigmatism or vision distortion if it grows over the visual axis. This condition is often linked to UV exposure, dust, and irritation of the ocular surface. It’s not a tear-duct structure, a retinal layer, or a small conjunctival fold. Specifically, puncta are tear drainage openings, the retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, and the semilunar fold (plica semilunaris) is a tiny conjunctival fold near the inner corner that doesn’t invade the cornea. Thus, the described growth is pterygium.