Noticing a small yellow bump on the white of your eye can be unsettling, but in many cases it’s a pinguecula—a common, usually harmless change on the eye’s surface. It often relates to long-term exposure to sunlight (UV), wind, and dust, and it may cause irritation or dry-eye–type symptoms in some people.
Introduction
A pinguecula matters mostly because it can look alarming and sometimes makes the eye feel dry, gritty, or inflamed. It’s also important to recognize when a “bump” is not a pinguecula, since other eye surface conditions can look similar and may need different evaluation.
What is Pinguecula?
A pinguecula is a benign, yellowish, slightly raised growth on the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye). It typically appears on the side closer to the nose near the edge of the cornea (the limbus), but it stays on the conjunctiva and usually doesn’t grow onto the cornea.
People often describe it as a “yellow bump on the white of the eye,” and that’s a useful way to remember its most visible feature. Pingueculae are common and can be long-lasting; Cleveland Clinic notes they typically don’t go away on their own and may grow slowly over time.
Pinguecula vs. pterygium (quick check)
Pinguecula and pterygium are related-sounding terms, but they’re not the same condition.
| Feature | Pinguecula | Pterygium |
|---|---|---|
| Where it grows | On the conjunctiva (white of the eye). | Starts on conjunctiva and extends onto the cornea. |
| Typical look | Small yellow, elevated bump/spot. | Pink, fleshy wedge/“wing,” sometimes with visible vessels. |
| Vision risk | Generally doesn’t affect visual acuity. | Can change the cornea’s shape (astigmatism) or affect vision if it grows far enough. |
Causes and Risk Factors
A pinguecula is thought to form as a response to long-term environmental “wear and tear” on the conjunctiva—especially ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Wind, dust, sand, and similar irritants are also commonly linked with pinguecula development and flare-ups.
Risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing a pinguecula include:
- Outdoor work or frequent sun exposure (chronic UV exposure is commonly cited as a major factor).
- Living/working in windy, dusty, sandy, or smoky environments that repeatedly irritate the ocular surface.
- Increasing age (it’s often described as a degenerative conjunctival change and is more common as people get older).
- Contact lens wear (StatPearls describes contact lens wear as an additional risk factor in some people).
Common Signs and Symptoms
Many people have a pinguecula without any symptoms and notice it mainly because of how it looks. When symptoms happen, they often overlap with dry eye or surface irritation.
Common symptoms and signs can include:
- A yellow-white spot or bump on the conjunctiva, often on the inner (nose-side) portion of the eye.
- Redness and irritation around the area, especially if it becomes inflamed.
- Dryness, burning, itching, or a gritty “something in my eye” feeling (foreign body sensation).
- Worsening dry-eye sensations because the raised area can interfere with smooth tear film spreading.
If a pinguecula becomes inflamed, it may be called pingueculitis. Cleveland Clinic describes pingueculitis as an irritated/inflamed pinguecula that can add symptoms on top of the bump itself.
How the Condition is Diagnosed
Pinguecula is usually diagnosed during a routine eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The clinician typically uses a slit lamp (a microscope with a bright, narrow beam of light) to examine the front of the eye and distinguish pinguecula from other look-alike conditions.
An exam may also include checking for related issues such as ocular surface dryness or signs of inflammation. StatPearls notes that diagnosis doesn’t require lab tests, and imaging like anterior segment OCT or OCT-angiography may be used in some settings to further evaluate the lesion’s structure, though this isn’t necessary for most people.
Treatment Options Explained (non-prescriptive, informational)
Most pingueculae don’t need treatment, especially if they aren’t causing discomfort. When treatment is discussed, it’s generally aimed at improving comfort and calming irritation rather than “curing” the bump.
Informational options your eye care provider may consider include:
- Lubrication (artificial tears; sometimes gels/ointments): The AOA notes artificial tears, gels, or ointments may be used to improve lubrication and reduce redness/irritation. Cleveland Clinic similarly describes artificial tears as a common approach when a pinguecula feels irritating or like a foreign body.
- Anti-inflammatory prescription drops for significant inflammation: The AOA states that topical steroid drops may be used in more severe cases to control inflammation. Cleveland Clinic also mentions steroid eye drops may be prescribed for inflammation when needed. StatPearls lists short-course topical steroids and also mentions topical NSAIDs as options used for pingueculitis in some cases.
- Cold compresses for flare-ups: StatPearls notes cold compresses may help people with an inflamed pinguecula.
- Removal procedures (uncommon): Cleveland Clinic explains that surgery is the only way to remove a pinguecula, but it isn’t often necessary. StatPearls notes excision is generally reserved for cosmetic reasons or persistent irritation that doesn’t respond to other measures, and it also emphasizes considering histologic evaluation if the lesion is atypical in appearance or location.
If you wear contact lenses, irritation can sometimes be part of the story, and a clinician may adjust lens type, fit, or wearing schedule depending on what they see on exam.
Possible Complications if Left Untreated
A pinguecula is generally benign and often remains a cosmetic issue rather than a vision-threatening one. Still, it can contribute to ongoing surface irritation or dryness by affecting how the tear film spreads over the eye.
Possible issues that can occur include:
- Recurrent inflammation (pingueculitis) with redness and discomfort.
- Dry-eye symptom worsening due to tear film disruption; StatPearls notes tear breakup time may be reduced in people with pinguecula.
- A nearby “dellen” (localized thinning/drying area on the corneal edge) has been described near pingueculae in some cases.
Some sources describe pinguecula as potentially progressing to pterygium in rare cases, while also noting the relationship is debated. If a growth begins extending onto the cornea, it’s no longer behaving like a simple pinguecula and should be evaluated promptly.
Prevention and Risk Reduction (if applicable)
Because UV exposure and environmental irritation are strongly associated with pinguecula, protection strategies focus on reducing those exposures. The AOA recommends protecting the eyes from UV radiation with certified wrap-around sunglasses and a brimmed hat. StatPearls similarly advises safeguarding the eyes from UV light, wind, and dust, including sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.
Practical risk-reduction ideas include:
- Wear UV-protective sunglasses (wrap-around styles can reduce side exposure).
- Use a brimmed hat when outdoors to reduce UV reaching the eyes.
- Consider protective eyewear in dusty or windy conditions (worksites, sports, riding motorcycles, etc.).
- Manage co-existing dry eye if present, since surface dryness can magnify irritation symptoms.
When to See an Eye Doctor
It’s reasonable to book an eye exam if you notice a new bump, spot, or growth on the eye—especially if you’re not sure what it is. Cleveland Clinic specifically encourages seeing an eye care provider for a new growth, changes in the pinguecula, symptoms, or any interference with vision.
Seek prompt evaluation sooner (rather than waiting for a routine visit) if you have:
- Eye pain, significant light sensitivity, or a sudden escalation in redness.
- A noticeable change in the lesion’s size, color, or shape, or rapid growth.
- Blurred vision or the sense that the growth is approaching/covering the cornea.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Pinguecula is generally described as harmless/benign, though it can be irritating or cosmetically bothersome.
StatPearls and MSD Manual note pinguecula typically does not affect visual acuity and generally doesn’t grow onto the cornea. If vision seems affected, an exam is important to rule out a different condition or a pterygium that has begun extending onto the cornea.
Cleveland Clinic notes pingueculae don’t go away and may grow slowly over time. Removal is possible, but it’s usually not necessary unless symptoms or other concerns make it worthwhile to discuss with an eye surgeon.
Cleveland Clinic explains that pinguecula is limited to the white part of the eye, while pterygium grows onto the cornea and can lead to more significant symptoms and vision changes. MSD Manual similarly describes pinguecula as a benign conjunctival mass adjacent to the cornea that usually does not grow toward the cornea, unlike pterygium.
Cleveland Clinic states that in rare cases a pinguecula can continue growing and become a pterygium. StatPearls notes the pinguecula–pterygium relationship is controversial, so not every pinguecula should be viewed as a “pre-pterygium,” but changes toward the cornea warrant evaluation.
AOA and Cleveland Clinic both describe artificial tears as a common option for discomfort, dryness, or irritation symptoms. For more pronounced inflammation, they note a clinician may prescribe anti-inflammatory drops such as short-term topical steroids, and StatPearls also lists topical NSAIDs among options used for pingueculitis.
StatPearls lists contact lens wear as an additional risk factor and notes persistent irritation or contact lens interference can be a reason removal is considered in select cases. Many people can still wear contacts, but it’s best decided after an exam that looks at lens fit, ocular surface health, and inflammation.
Key Takeaways
- Pinguecula is a benign, yellowish raised growth on the conjunctiva (white of the eye), commonly on the nose-side near the cornea.
- It’s strongly associated with long-term UV exposure and environmental irritation (wind/dust/sand), and it may cause dryness, redness, or a gritty sensation—especially if inflamed (pingueculitis).
- Diagnosis is typically made during an eye exam using a slit lamp, and treatment (when needed) focuses on comfort and inflammation control rather than urgency.
Medically reviewed / Educational disclaimer: This article is for general education and does not diagnose conditions or replace care from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you have eye pain, vision changes, rapid growth, or a new eye lesion, seek an in-person eye evaluation.
