What should I do if there are yellow spots on the white of my eye?

Yellowish spots on the white of the eye (sclera) may be pingueculae—benign, yellowish elevations caused by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Pingueculae typically require no treatment. However, if pingueculitis (inflammation of the pinguecula) develops, a physician may prescribe mild topical corticosteroid eye drops. Alternatively, these yellowish lesions may represent pterygia—triangular, fleshy growths of conjunctival tissue often associated with chronic exposure to sunlight, wind, or dust. In early stages, pterygia usually do not require intervention. However, if they grow rapidly or threaten vision, surgical removal may be recommended.