BACKGROUND: Pterygium is a fibrovascular wing or triangular–shaped tissue that develops from the subconjunctival tissue and encroaches onto cornea destroying superficial layers of stroma and bowmans membrane. METHODS : This cross–sectional study was conducted at the outpatient department of ophthalmology of Government Medical College Haldwani, Uttarakhand. A total of 215 pterygium patients were selected to analyse various sociodemographic factors especially age, sex, residence, occupation, position etc on the occurrence of this problem. RESULTS : In the present study, out of 215 pterygium patients, 46% patients were in the age of 36–50 years,followed by 18% in 51–65 years. There was a female preponderance(65%) as compared to males(35%). 77 percent of patients belonged to rural areas. The incidence was found to be maximum among agriculture worker (43%) followed by industrial labourers 26%.Left eye was involved in 83% cases while the majority 96% of pterygium patients were nasal. Progressive pterygium was found in 81% cases whereas atrophic pterygium was found in 19% cases. CONCLUSIONS: People who work outdoors are subjected to involuntary U.V. B exposure, dust. Workers and farmers must be aware of this and they must take appropriate precautions like wearing protective photochromatic glasses, caps etc.