Woman warns others on common mistake that's left her with extremely ‘painful’ condition and unexpected consequences

A TikToker has opened up about an eye condition she contracted from making a simple mistake.

If you're lucky enough to be popping up for some winter sun, you may remember your sun cream and hat, but there's another item which is seriously important to take with you too.

And TikToker Laura Clare is raising awareness of an eye condition which caused her immense pain and resulted from an easy mistake many of us make.

What is pterygium?

Laura tells FEMAIL she began experiencing trouble with her eyes when she was 26 years old, and her eye became 'inflamed' and she experienced pain like nothing she ever had before.

After going to the doctor, she found out she had pterygium - also sometimes referred to as 'surfer's eye'.

Cleveland Clinic explains: "Pterygium is a raised, fleshy, triangular-shaped growth that starts in the corner of your eye."

The growth occurs on your eye's conjunctiva, 'the clear membrane that covers the white part of your eye' and it may look 'whiteish or pinkish' have 'visible blood vessels in it' too.

"It typically starts in the corner of your eye and grows toward your iris (the colored part)," it adds.

And it's easier to contract than you might think.

What causes pterygium?

'Sun, wind, salt, sea and sand,' are all listed as being prime causes of pterygium.

"Surfers do get pterygia (the plural of pterygium) more often. But anyone can get one if they spend a lot of time outdoors without eye protection," the Cleveland Clinic continues. "It’s more common in older adults, who’ve had more exposure to the elements over time, and also in those who live near the equator, where sunlight is more intense."

Laura explains she got hers as a result of 'sun damage' from not 'protecting her eyes in the sun' when she was younger - noting how important it is to wear sunglasses which have enough protection under certain standards.

Symptoms of pterygium

Symptoms include 'inflammation and swelling' alongside bloodshot eyes. Your eye may also feel more watery or dry than normal, and you may feel like there's something in your eye.

Your eye may feel itchy, burning, or just in pain, and you may have trouble putting in contact lenses too if you wear them.

Keep an eye out for 'blurred or double vision' and an 'increase in the size and spread' of anything which has cropped up on your eye.

In one video shared to TikTok, Laura reports her eyes 'hurting all the time' and it hurting 'so bad' noting she had to keep her 'eyes closed all the time'.

But how do you avoid getting into the same painful situation?

Advice on pterygium

If you've been diagnosed with pterygium, you'll be able to get drops to help with the irritation, but will ultimately require surgery - which Laura has since undergone to tackle the 'painful' condition.

And to prevent it in the first place?

Protecting your eyes from the elements - so eye drops in dry weather conditions and wearing proper protective sunglasses when it's sunny.

Laura admitted: "I guess it was my young brain not making the best decisions for myself or my body - I was more invested in getting a tan."

The TikToker resolves: "Be very, very careful how you treat your eyes [...] Wear sunglasses, put your kids in sunglasses."