Pterygium Surgery: RED eyes to SPARKLING White: LOOK Good & SEE Great!
Pterygium and Pinguecula: What Are They?
Pterygium and Pinguecula are common eye conditions, particularly in sunny regions, that cause red eyes, dry eyes, and cosmetic concerns. These abnormal growths form on the white of the eye (conjunctiva), often extending toward the clear cornea in the case of Pterygium. Both conditions are closely linked to excessive sun exposure, chronic dryness, and environmental irritation.
- Pterygium: A triangular-shaped growth that can affect both appearance and vision.
- Pinguecula: A yellowish bump that causes chronic red eyes and discomfort but stays confined to the conjunctiva.
Global Patients Fly to Florida for Dr. Gulani’s Pterygium Surgery
For nearly 3 decades, Dr. Arun Gulani, world-renowned eye surgeon and Ponte Vedra resident, has become the global authority for treating Pterygium and Pinguecula. Patients travel from across the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Australia to seek his expertise at the Gulani Vision Institute in Jacksonville, Florida.
Known not only for his surgical skill but also for his commitment to cosmetic excellence, Dr. Gulani’s unique SPARKLE™ Surgery has raised the bar for achieving clear, red-free eyes with natural beauty.
Dr. Gulani performed the world’s first 3D No-Stitch Pterygium Surgery on a dental surgeon, once again proving his dedication to advancing technology and techniques for superior outcomes.
Day-One Post surgery Mirror test:
Dr. Gulani has taken his SPARKLE™ technique to a level where Day-One after surgery patients are encouraged to see their eyes in the mirror and they are stunned with their sparkling white appearance starting day one itself along with the comfort and improved vision
Combining SPARKLE™ Pterygium Surgery with LaZrPlastique® for Vision Freedom
Many patients with Pterygium or Pinguecula also have associated glasses or contact lens prescriptions for conditions like:
- Nearsightedness
- Farsightedness
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia (age-related reading vision loss)
Dr. Gulani offers these patients a unique opportunity to combine SPARKLE™ Surgery with his groundbreaking LaZrPlastique® procedure—a next-generation LASIK technique that corrects vision without blades, cuts, or flaps. By treating both the cosmetic and refractive needs, patients not only achieve clear, red-free eyes but also freedom from glasses or contact lenses.
This combined approach provides patients with aesthetic rejuvenation and visual freedom, all in a customized plan designed for their unique eyes.
Treating Dry Eyes: A Critical Factor in Long-Term Success
Dr. Gulani also emphasizes that Pterygium and Pinguecula often coexist with chronic dry eyes, which must be addressed for both comfort and to prevent recurrence. He incorporates his proprietary M.O.I.S.T.® Therapy into every treatment plan, ensuring that each patient’s dry eye condition is individually diagnosed and treated, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all artificial tears.
Combining with Custom Cataract Surgery for Older Patients
For older patients with coexisting cataracts, Dr. Gulani offers a comprehensive combination approach, performing SPARKLE™ Pterygium Surgery alongside his custom-designed LenzOplastique® Cataract Surgery. Using the latest generation of Trifocal/Multifocal/Toric lens implants, he restores vision at most distances—without the need for glasses.
Vision Freedom for those with previous surgery and Rejected Cases
Even patients with previous Lasik, Smile or PRK surgery and even cataract surgery can still be candidates for his Sparkle™ technique
As well as those with Keratoconus, Corneal scars and Radial Keratotomy (RK) surgeries
World resource for those with failed or complicated Pterygium surgeries:
Dr. Gulani is a world destination for patients who have had failed pterygium and pinguecula surgeries elsewhere as well as those who have had recurrences and scars from their previous surgeries. He corrects these with his advanced amniotic techniques
Author of Global Textbook Teaching Surgeons Worldwide
Dr. Gulani’s authority in Pterygium and Pinguecula surgery extends far beyond his patient care. He has authored a comprehensive textbook (ART of Pterygium Surgery) that teaches eye surgeons worldwide how to perform his advanced techniques. This landmark publication sets the global benchmark for transforming Pterygium surgery from a basic medical procedure into a blend of precision surgery and cosmetic artistry.
Surgeons from around the world travel to Gulani Vision Institute to observe and learn directly from Dr. Gulani, bringing his techniques back to their own patients.
A Fusion of Precision and Cosmetic Artistry
Dr. Gulani customizes every Pterygium and Pinguecula surgery, using his personally designed:
- Diamond precision instruments
- Human placental (Amniotic) membrane grafts for faster healing and minimized scarring
- No-Stitch glue technique, replacing outdated sutures
- A focus on cosmetic perfection, ensuring the eye looks crystal clear post-surgery
High-Profile Success Stories & Golfer’s Eyes:
High profile patients from around the world including professional golfers have undergone Dr. Gulani’s pioneering No-Stitch Amniotic Pterygium surgery with remarkable success.
Prevention Remains Key
While Dr. Gulani’s surgical techniques achieve extraordinary results, he consistently advises that prevention is the first line of defense. His top recommendations include:
- Wearing high-quality UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors
- Avoiding direct exposure to wind, dust, and sand
- Treating dry eyes proactively with personalized therapies
Combining Beauty and Vision: The Gulani Experience
At Gulani Vision Institute, Dr. Gulani’s goal goes beyond simple growth removal. Each procedure is a work of art, restoring not just vision but also the natural beauty of the eye. This dual focus—medical precision and cosmetic elegance—is why patients from around the world, including celebrities, professional athletes, and business leaders, continue to seek out his expertise.
Teaching the World Through Innovation and Education
In addition to his surgical artistry, Dr. Gulani remains committed to teaching and advancing global standards. His peer-reviewed publications in leading journals and textbooks have made his name synonymous with excellence in ocular surface surgery. His published works include:
Experience the Gulani Sparkle™: Combining Science, Art, and Innovation
Patients who travel to Gulani Vision Institute experience much more than surgery—they experience a complete visual and cosmetic transformation. Whether they come with red eyes, dry eyes, or severe vision impairment, they leave with bright, clear eyes and crisp vision, thanks to Dr. Gulani’s passion for combining technology, artistry, and innovation.
For patients seeking the best in Pterygium and Pinguecula surgery, combined with the possibility of vision freedom through LaZrPlastique® or custom cataract surgery, LenzOplastique® , Dr. Gulani offers a uniquely personalized path to lasting clarity and beauty.
Medical References:
- Gulani AC. The ART of Pterygium Surgery. Textbook of Eye Surgery. 1st ed. Thieme Medical Publishers. Stuttgart, Germany.
- Gulani AC. Simultaneous pterygium and cataract surgery. J Postgrad Med 1995; 41:8-11.
- Gulani AC, Gulani AA. Cosmetic Pterygium Surgery: Techniques and Long-Term Outcomes. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2020; 14:1681-1687
- Gulani, AC. Sutureless Amniotic Surgery for Pterygium: Cosmetic Outcomes for Ocular Surface Surgery. Techniques in Ophthalmology 2008;6(2):41-44.
- Gulani, AC. A Cornea-Friendly Pterygium Procedure. Review of Ophthalmology, 52-56; June 2012.
- Gulani AC. Gulani Iceberg Technique: Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today Europe. 2014;9:48-49.
- Gulani, Arun. Raising the Bar on Pterygium and Pinguecula Surgery. Ophthalmology Times Vol 40, No.6 (2015): 24-30.