Not much tears Mickey Munoz away from the beach. But after 60 years surfing, a growth on his eye forced him out of the water.

Video: Sun can cause growths on eyes

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"I just kept holding off until finally it got to the point it where it started growing into the colored part of my eye," he said.

A yellow or pink growth similar to a callous forms on the white of the eye. Left untreated, it can spread to the cornea, blocking vision.

That's what brought Laree Soto to Dr. John Hovanesian, an ophthalmologist at Harvard Eye Associates in San Clemente, Calif.

"It hasn't affected my vision, but it has grown," said Soto.

Removing them has never been easier. In a ten-minute surgery, Dr. Hovanesian scrapes off the growth, called a pterygium, then covers the area with graft tissue from human placenta.

"It's thin like parchment paper," said Dr. Hovanesian.

Protein glue holds the graft in place.

"It looks better because the eye is less red and inflamed. It is much more comfortable for patients because they don't feel stitches on the eye and it makes surgery much more quick. It cuts the time of surgery almost in half," said Dr. Hovanesian.

The re-growth rate drops from 50 percent to less than 1 percent.

Redness and irritation in the eye are the first signs of a pterygium.

Exposure to UV light, dusty, dry air and salt water are all risk factors for the condition, which usually occurs in people who spend a great deal of time outdoors, such as surfers and boaters. Pterygiums occasionally turn into cancer.

To prevent pterygiums, wear sunglasses,which helps reduce exposure to UV rays, dust and wind, and can help protect your eyes from developing pterygiums. The wraparound styles are most effective. Wearing a hat can also shield the eyes from environmental damage. Artificial tears are also useful in decreasing irritation by keeping the eyes moist and dust-free.