Case 1: Solar elastosis is prominent.

The congested vessels lend the injected look to the pterygium clinically.

Case 2: The epithelium overlies a fibrous stroma and congested vessels.

Although pterygiums are benign, sun-exposure is the cause of pterygium and thus, the pathologist must examine the specimen to exclude epithelial dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. Furthermore, amelanotic melanoma may mimic a pterygium clinically.