What term describes a growth that can distort vision when it occurs on the cornea?

The term that describes a growth that can distort vision when it occurs on the cornea is "pterygium." A pterygium is a benign growth of fibrovascular tissue that encroaches on the cornea from the conjunctiva, often due to prolonged exposure to UV light, dust, or wind. As it grows, it can alter the surface curvature of the eye, leading to visual disturbances.

In contrast, myomas refer to benign tumors of smooth muscle, often occurring in the uterus, and do not pertain to eye conditions. A chalazion is a blockage of a meibomian gland in the eyelid, resulting in a lump but not typically affecting vision. Similarly, a stye is an infection of an eyelash follicle or oil gland at the base of an eyelash, usually manifesting as a painful, localized swelling on the eyelid rather than on the cornea. Therefore, pterygium directly relates to vision distortion due to its specific location and nature.