pterygium

A flat yellow-white fibrous growth originating on the sclera (white) section of the eye, caused by UV sun rays, and exacerbated by wind, seaspray, and glare. Virtually all longtime surfers have pinguecula (where the growth is contained within the sclera) or pterygium (where the growth has crossed over onto the cornea) to one degree or another, as do most longtime sailors and beach volleyball playe...