The white of our eyes is actually a thin, relatively transparent tissue layer. Bulbar conjunctiva lays on top of the white scleral wall of the eye. It extends under the eyelids and then folds back at the fornix. It becomes the under surface of both eyelids as the palpebral conjunctiva. It has many small blood vessels and helps protect and lubricate the eye and lids.
Conjunctivitis is when the conjunctiva layer becomes red from inflamed blood vessels. Dried mucus eyelid crusts may appear. Causes include allergic reaction, dryness, or infection.
A tiny blood vessel within the white conjunctiva of one’s eye may break, and blood may pool beneath the conjunctiva. This appears as a red spot and is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Most are harmless and dissipate within one to two weeks.
A pinguecula is a benign, yellowish thickening of the conjunctiva of the eye.
A pterygium is a benign fibrovascular tissue mass of the conjunctiva which can encroach on the clear cornea. To remove a pterygium, the conjunctiva over the fibrovascular tissue mass is removed. The pterygium body tissue mass is excised. Any encroachment of the cornea is also removed, called a superficial keratectomy. The conjunctiva is then stretched and reattached over the area.
Any changes to your eyes, eyelids, or vision should be brought to your eye care provider’s attention immediately.
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