Question

The nurse practitioner is preforming a head to toe assessment on a 57 year old male patient. She notices a yellow triangular thickening of the conjunctiva that extends across the cornea on the nasal side. What is this commonly known as?

a. Pinguecula
b. Pterygium
c. Cataracts
d. Sjogren's Syndrome

Answer 1

The condition known as a pterygium is a benign growth on the conjunctiva that extends across the cornea, which can impair vision if it becomes large. It's distinct from a pinguecula, cataracts, and Sjogren's Syndrome.

Step-by-step explanation:

The yellow triangular thickening of the conjunctiva that extends across the cornea on the nasal side is commonly known as a pterygium. This is a benign growth that may gradually advance onto the cornea and can potentially impair vision if it becomes large enough.

A pinguecula is a similar, but less invasive, condition that appears as a yellowish patch or bump on the conjunctiva, usually on the side of the cornea closest to the nose and does not grow across the cornea. In contrast, cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens leading to decreased vision, and Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that primarily causes dry eyes and mouth.