{"id":1845,"date":"2026-10-20T08:52:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/pinguecula\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:57:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:57:09","slug":"pinguecula","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/pinguecula\/","title":{"rendered":"Pinguecula: The Yellow Spot on the White of the Eye, Its Causes and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Eye glossary A\u2013Z<\/a><\/li>
  4. Pinguecula: The Yellow Spot on the White of the Eye, Its Causes and Treatment<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Pinguecula: The Yellow Spot on the White of the Eye, Its Causes and Treatment<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Pinguecula<\/strong> (noun, plural pingueculae)<\/em>: a pinguecula is a small, yellowish, raised patch on the conjunctiva, the clear membrane over the white of the eye, most often on the side nearest the nose. It is a harmless, sun-related and age-related change in the tissue, not an infection and not a cancer. Most people have no symptoms, and the eye drops or surgery sometimes used are for irritation or appearance only.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

    Quick answer:<\/strong> a pinguecula is a benign yellow bump on the white of the eye, caused mainly by years of ultraviolet light, wind and dust. It usually needs no treatment; lubricating drops, sunglasses and, for a red inflamed spot, anti-inflammatory drops are the standard care. It does not normally disappear, but it can be removed for comfort or looks. Do\u00e7. Dr. (Associate Professor) Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer can examine it and advise.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Pinguecula: key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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    <\/svg>What it is<\/span><\/dt>
    A raised, yellow-white degenerative lesion of the conjunctiva; the underlying collagen is replaced by thickened, abnormal tissue (elastotic degeneration)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Where it is<\/span><\/dt>
    On the white of the eye next to the cornea, usually at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions, most often on the nasal side<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>One eye or both<\/span><\/dt>
    Often both<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Main cause<\/span><\/dt>
    Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, with wind and dust as additional irritants<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>How common<\/span><\/dt>
    Very common with age. In the Blue Mountains Eye Study (Australia), 69.5% of people aged 49 and over had one<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Symptoms<\/span><\/dt>
    Usually none; sometimes dryness, grittiness, burning, itching, redness or a cosmetic concern<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Dangerous?<\/span><\/dt>
    No. It is benign and associated with minimal risk to the eye<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Treatment<\/span><\/dt>
    Often none; lubricants, UV protection and, when inflamed, anti-inflammatory drops. Surgery is an option, not a necessity<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Specialist<\/span><\/dt>
    Ophthalmologist; at Laser Istanbul Clinic, Do\u00e7. Dr. Muhammet Derda \u00d6zer (cornea and ocular surface)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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    \"Illustration<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
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    What does a pinguecula look like?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    A pinguecula looks like a small, slightly raised, yellow-white or cream-coloured spot on the white of the eye, sitting right beside the edge of the cornea (the clear dome over the iris). It stays on the white of the eye and does not grow across the clear part.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), a pinguecula may contain protein, fat or calcium deposits. The College of Optometrists describes it as appearing on the conjunctiva at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions, and it often affects both eyes. It is usually on the nasal side: EyeWiki explains that light passing sideways through the cornea becomes focused on the nasal edge of the cornea, which concentrates UV exposure there.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Pinguecula symptoms<\/h2><\/div>

    Most pingueculae cause no symptoms and are found by chance during an eye test. When pinguecula symptoms do appear, they include:<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t