Private Pterygium Surgery with Conjunctival Autograft UK 2026

Pterygium surgery with a conjunctival autograft is a 30–45 minute day-case operation that removes the wing-shaped growth from the cornea and covers the bare area with a graft of your own healthy conjunctiva, usually secured with tissue glue. This technique reduces recurrence to only a few per cent and gives a comfortable, cosmetically neat result. At our partner clinics it starts from £3,200 per eye, all-inclusive.

What is a pterygium?

A pterygium is a fleshy, wing-shaped growth of the conjunctiva that extends from the white of the eye onto the clear cornea. It is strongly linked to lifetime exposure to ultraviolet light, wind and dust — which is why it is sometimes called “surfer’s eye”. Small pterygia may only cause redness and irritation, but larger ones can pull on the cornea, cause astigmatism and blurred vision, and become cosmetically noticeable.

When a pterygium threatens vision, keeps getting inflamed or bothers you cosmetically, surgical removal is the definitive treatment. Pterygium care sits within our oculoplastic and ocular surface surgery service.

Red, gritty or growing pterygium? A consultant can advise whether removal with an autograft is right for you.

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Surgical techniques compared

The technique used to close the surface after the pterygium is removed is what determines the recurrence rate and comfort. Your surgeon will recommend the best option for the size and type of your pterygium:

Older method

Bare sclera

The area is left uncovered. Simple but has a much higher recurrence rate, so it is rarely used alone today.

Gold standard

Conjunctival autograft

Your own tissue covers the bare area, usually with tissue glue. Lowest recurrence and a neat result.

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Complex cases

Amniotic membrane graft

Used for very large or recurrent pterygia where there is not enough healthy conjunctiva to graft.

Membrane graft cost

You can also read about our consultant-led pterygium removal service and browse oculoplastic surgery prices.

What happens during the operation

Pterygium surgery with a conjunctival autograft is a day-case procedure taking about 30–45 minutes under local anaesthetic, so you stay awake but feel no pain.

The eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops and an injection, and gently held open.
The pterygium is carefully dissected off the cornea and the white of the eye, leaving a smooth surface.
A thin graft of your own healthy conjunctiva is taken from under the upper eyelid.
The graft is placed over the bare area and secured with tissue glue (or fine dissolving sutures).
The eye is padded or shielded and you go home the same day with drops.

Recovery week-by-week

Days 1–3

The eye feels gritty, watery and red, like a surface scratch. Lubricating and anti-inflammatory drops keep you comfortable. Most take a few days off.

Week 1

Discomfort eases and the surface heals. First review to check the graft has taken well.

Weeks 2–4

Redness fades steadily. Avoid swimming, dusty environments and contact lenses. Keep using UV-blocking sunglasses.

Beyond a month

The eye looks and feels normal. Long-term sun protection helps prevent the pterygium coming back.

Pterygium surgery cost

Our pricing is all-inclusive: consultant surgeon, theatre, the autograft procedure and your follow-up reviews.

Self-pay: from £3,200 per eye with a conjunctival autograft; around £3,800 for larger or recurrent pterygia.
Consultation: typically £200–£350, often redeemable against treatment.
Insurance: recognised by major UK insurers — we handle authorisation.

Explore related surface and lid procedures on our oculoplastics page, or see all oculoplastic prices.

Frequently asked questions

What is a conjunctival autograft in pterygium surgery?

After the pterygium is removed from the surface of the eye, a small piece of your own healthy conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the white of the eye) is taken from under the upper eyelid and placed over the bare area, usually secured with tissue glue rather than stitches. This autograft technique gives the lowest recurrence rate and a comfortable, cosmetically neat result.

Does pterygium come back after surgery?

It can, but the conjunctival autograft technique reduces recurrence to only a few per cent, compared with much higher rates when the area is simply left bare. Protecting your eyes from strong sun and wind with UV-blocking sunglasses after surgery further lowers the risk.

Is pterygium surgery painful?

The operation itself is painless because the eye is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. For the first few days afterwards the eye can feel gritty, watery and mildly sore — similar to a scratch on the surface — which settles with lubricating and anti-inflammatory drops.

How long is recovery after pterygium removal?

Most people take about a week off work. The surface heals over one to two weeks, redness fades over three to six weeks, and lubricating drops are used for several weeks. Contact lens wear and swimming are usually avoided for about a month.

How much does private pterygium surgery cost in the UK?

Private pterygium removal with a conjunctival autograft starts from around £3,200 per eye at our partner clinics in 2026, rising to about £3,800 for larger or recurrent pterygia that need more grafting. The price is all-inclusive of the consultant surgeon, theatre, the procedure and follow-up.

Private pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft