Pterygium Surgery in Brisbane: Advanced Eye Treatment in Queensland

Pterygium (also known as “surfer’s eye”) is a common eye condition in sunny Queensland. It appears as a fleshy, wing-shaped growth on the white of the eye that can slowly extend onto the cornea (the clear front surface). While often harmless at first, a growing pterygium can cause redness, irritation, and blurred vision, and may become visually significant or cosmetically bothersome over time. The good news for patients in Brisbane and across Queensland is that modern pterygium surgery offers an effective solution – especially with Dr. David Gunn’s advanced technique using fibrin glue instead of stitches.

Why Remove a Pterygium?

Living with a pterygium can be uncomfortable. Many people initially notice redness, dryness, or irritation in the affected eye. The growth can act like a persistent irritant, causing a feeling of grit or burning. Over time, a pterygium may induce astigmatism (by pulling on the cornea) or even encroach onto the pupil area, blurring your vision. In severe cases – which are thankfully rare – the pterygium can grow over the line of sight and threaten vision if not addressed.

Aside from the functional problems, there are cosmetic concerns. A pterygium often looks like a red or pinkish tissue on the eye, which can be unsightly and embarrassing for some people. If you find yourself self-conscious about the appearance of your eyes or avoiding photos due to a visible eye growth, you’re not alone. Many patients seek pterygium removal to restore a clear, white appearance to their eyes as well as to relieve symptoms.

Pterygium gives the eye a red angry look that is cosmetically unappealing and can cause discomfort.

Bottom line: Both health and cosmetic motivations are valid reasons to consider pterygium removal. If the pterygium is causing you discomfort, affecting your vision, or making you unhappy with your eye’s appearance, it may be time to discuss pterygium surgery in Brisbane with a specialist.

Advanced Pterygium Surgery Technique (No Stitches, Minimal Pain)

Traditional pterygium surgery involved removing the growth and often using stitches to graft conjunctival tissue over the area, which could lead to significant post-operative pain and a longer recovery. Dr. David Gunn offers a cutting-edge approach for pterygium removal that has improved the patient experience dramatically. As a specialist corneal surgeon, Dr. Gunn performs a thorough removal of the pterygium including the underlying Tenon’s tissue (to reduce recurrence) and then uses an autograft secured with fibrin glue instead of stitches.

• Fibrin Glue vs. Stitches: Using fibrin glue to secure the conjunctival graft means there are no sutures scratching the eye after surgery. This results in far less post-op pain and irritation, and a faster healing time for patients. In fact, the no-stitch glue technique has been described as a “game changer” in pterygium surgery, making recovery much more comfortable.

• Quick Procedure: Pterygium removal with this technique is typically performed as a day surgery under local anesthesia with sedation. The surgery itself is relatively quick, and you’ll go home the same day. You will be heavily sedated for the procedure and essentially asleep.

• Faster Recovery: Thanks to the glue technique, most of Dr. Gunn’s patients experience a rapid recovery. There is usually mild soreness for the first 1–2 days, but often by Monday you can be back to work if surgery was done on a Thursday. (If you work in a very dusty environment you may need a bit more time off to avoid irritation.) Your eye may look red for a few weeks as it heals, but you’ll be feeling much better than with the old stitch method. Many pateints choose to take a week off.

Modern pterygium surgery is quick (about 20–30 minutes per eye) and is done as day surgery.

Pterygium Surgery in Brisbane with Dr. David Gunn

When considering eye growth treatment in Queensland, it’s important to choose an experienced surgeon and a technique that ensures the best outcome. Dr. David Gunn is a Brisbane-based ophthalmologist who specializes in corneal conditions, including extensive experience with pterygium removal. Patients from all over Queensland visit Dr. Gunn for his expertise in managing both primary and recurrent pterygia. Key benefits of having your pterygium surgery in Brisbane with Dr. Gunn include:

• Specialist Expertise: As a fellowship-trained corneal specialist, Dr. Gunn has in-depth knowledge of the eye’s surface. He employs the latest evidence-based methods to minimize the chance of pterygium recurrence, including wide excision of affected tissue and placement of a conjunctival autograft.

• Modern Facilities: Dr. Gunn operates at state-of-the-art eye surgery facilities in Brisbane. The procedure is done with precision tools (like micro-surgical instruments and microscopes) to carefully remove the pterygium and transplant healthy tissue seamlessly.

• Comfort and Care: From the moment you arrive for your consultation through to your post-op visits, Dr. Gunn and his team prioritize patient comfort and reassurance. They will thoroughly explain the procedure, recovery process, and answer any questions you have. The use of fibrin glue means patients are often pleasantly surprised at how manageable the recovery is, especially if they’ve heard stories about painful recoveries from older techniques. Having surgery with Dr Gunn means you will also be asleep with heavy sedation.

What to Expect After Surgery

After pterygium surgery, you will use prescribed antibiotic and steroid eye drops for several weeks to aid healing and prevent inflammation. It’s normal for the eye to be a bit red and feel mildly scratchy for a few days, but severe pain is uncommon with the glue technique. You will be seen after surgery to ensure the eye is healing well. By this time, most patients are already noticing the eye looks clearer and the discomfort is minimal.

You’ll need to avoid swimming and dusty environments for a couple of weeks, and be diligent about using your drops. Sunglasses are recommended whenever you are outdoors – not only to protect the healing eye from UV (which is a major cause of pterygium in the first place), but also because your eye may be light-sensitive during early healing. Remember, protecting your eyes from UV with wraparound sunglasses is important to prevent pterygium and other sun-related eye issues from recurring.

Most patients find the recovery much easier than expected. Within a month, the redness is significantly reduced, and you’re left with an eye that is no longer plagued by the unwanted growth. Both your vision and appearance benefit from the procedure.

Serving Patients Across Queensland (Travel for Surgery)

One of the great advantages of choosing Dr. Gunn in Brisbane is that he regularly accommodates patients from all over Queensland and beyond. If you live outside Brisbane, it’s still feasible to have your pterygium removal with glue in Brisbane and benefit from Dr. Gunn’s expertise. In many cases, your initial consult and surgery can be scheduled within a day or two, minimizing travel inconvenience. Dr. Gunn’s clinic and the Queensland Eye Institute are accustomed to helping patients who fly in from regional areas.

For those coming from out of town, we encourage you to read our blog post “Travelling to Brisbane for Your Eye Surgery”, which offers tips on planning your visit and making the most of your time in the city. It covers how quickly you can typically fly home after procedures like pterygium surgery (often within a couple of days), and recommendations for follow-up care.

Book Your Consultation (Clear Vision Awaits)

If you’re researching pterygium surgery in Brisbane or anywhere in Queensland, take the next step toward clearer, more comfortable vision. We invite you to book a consultation with Dr. David Gunn to discuss your individual case and find out how pterygium removal can help you. During your appointment, Dr. Gunn will examine your eyes, confirm if pterygium surgery is recommended, and explain the procedure in detail. You’ll also receive a personalized quote and have a chance to get all your questions answered.

Don’t let a pterygium continue to irritate or worry you. With modern techniques offering less pain, fast recovery, and excellent outcomes, there’s no reason to put up with a troublesome eye growth. Regain clear vision and a clear appearance – fill out our online form or call our clinic to schedule your appointment. Early treatment can protect your eyesight and greatly improve your comfort.

For more details on the procedure itself, recovery, and FAQs, visit our Pterygium Surgery page on the website. We’re here to help you see clearly and comfortably again!

DR DAVID GUNN - OPHTHALMOLOGIST

MBBS (Hons I), BSc, CertLRS, FRANZCO, FWCRS

Dr. David Gunn, a respected ophthalmologist based in Brisbane, specialises in managing corneal diseases, cataract surgery, and advanced laser and refractive eye procedures at the Queensland Eye Institute. He graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Queensland and was awarded the prestigious K.G. Howsam gold medal during his ophthalmology training.

As an innovator in his field, Dr. Gunn has a special interest in topographic laser eye surgery procedures. His introduction of the Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segment surgery to Australia in May 2021 stands as testament to his drive for innovation, putting him among a select few surgeons worldwide performing this technique.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Gunn contributes to future developments in ophthalmology as a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and through his active engagement in eye disease research.

However, what truly defines Dr. Gunn's work is his unwavering dedication to patient care. His pursuit of innovation and commitment to education all aim towards one goal: to enhance the lives of his patients through exceptional eye care. For Dr. Gunn, improving vision means improving life, a philosophy that continues to guide his practice in Brisbane.