由于被研究人群的地理位置不同，翼状胬肉的患病率分布于1%-30%之间，紫外线较强的地区，该病患病率更高。[3]Saw SM, Tan D. Pterygium: prevalence, demography and risk factors. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 1999;6:219-228.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10487976?tool=bestpractice.com[4]Youngson RM. Pterygium in Israel. Am J Ophthalmol. 1972;74:954-959.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4644742?tool=bestpractice.com[5]Sivasubramaniam P. Pterygium in Ceylon. Br J Ophthalmol. 1971;55:55-59.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5551225?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Mackenzie FD, Hirst LW, Battistutta D, et al. Risk analysis in the development of pterygia. Ophthalmology. 1992;99:1056-1061.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1495784?tool=bestpractice.com一些研究表明男女患病率无差异。[4]Youngson RM. Pterygium in Israel. Am J Ophthalmol. 1972;74:954-959.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4644742?tool=bestpractice.com而另一些研究则认为男性患者更易发生翼状胬肉（可能由于男性户外活动较多，更容易暴露于紫外线的缘故）。[5]Sivasubramaniam P. Pterygium in Ceylon. Br J Ophthalmol. 1971;55:55-59.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5551225?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Mackenzie FD, Hirst LW, Battistutta D, et al. Risk analysis in the development of pterygia. Ophthalmology. 1992;99:1056-1061.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1495784?tool=bestpractice.com已有报道翼状胬肉的患病率随年龄增加而升高，但到中年以后，其患病率有下降趋势。[3]Saw SM, Tan D. Pterygium: prevalence, demography and risk factors. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 1999;6:219-228.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10487976?tool=bestpractice.com[4]Youngson RM. Pterygium in Israel. Am J Ophthalmol. 1972;74:954-959.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4644742?tool=bestpractice.com[5]Sivasubramaniam P. Pterygium in Ceylon. Br J Ophthalmol. 1971;55:55-59.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5551225?tool=bestpractice.com
