Choroidal melanomas are malignant tumors and must be treated. They may spread metastasize to other parts of your body and can be fatal. If you are diagnosed with a choroidal nevus, ask your healthcare provider to give you a picture of it. Date the picture and keep it safe with your medical files.
If you ever change eye doctors or have a need to see an eye specialist , it will come in very handy. A documented picture will save your eye doctor time by providing evidence that your condition has been detected previously, has not grown, and is, most importantly, benign.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Ocular Melanoma Foundation. Understanding choroidal nevi. New York Eye Cancer Center. Choroidal nevus. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Like skin freckles, they are caused by a buildup of melanin pigment.
They are harmless and usually do not develop into melanoma. Iris nevi. Like iris freckles, iris nevi are dark spots on the colored iris.
However, iris nevi are larger than iris freckles, and they grow down into a part of the iris called the stroma. Iris nevi grow larger with time. Like iris freckles, these nevi are usually benign not cancerous. However, an ophthalmologist will monitor them over time for any changes. Next Nevus Diagnosis and Treatment. Related Ask an Ophthalmologist Answers What is the importance of fundoscopy? Will working long hours on the computer be a problem for someone with a hole in the retina?
How long will the gas bubble stay in my eye after retinal detachment treatment? You may see a nevus if it shows up in the front of your eye near the iris, but you likely won't be able to detect one if it pops up behind your retina.
In rare cases, abnormal blood vessels can grow around the freckle, causing retinal detachment when the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of your eye—your retina—pulls away from the supportive tissue and a loss of vision, Bhatt says. But again, that's rare. Just like you need to check in with your doctor regularly to keep tabs on the moles or birthmarks on your skin, you also need to have your eye freckles monitored.
In rare cases, they can actually transform into melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, Bhatt says. The goal in monitoring the freckle closely is that doctors can intervene quickly if it turns into melanoma, Shields says—and the faster doctors act, the better your prognosis. And if your eye freckle does turn into melanoma, it can be treated with radiation, laser surgery, or in rare cases, removal of the eye, Youssefzadeh says. However, since there is still a small chance that they can develop into melanoma, it is crucial to have any nevi monitored by an eye doctor.
The earlier you notice changes in the nevus, the sooner it can be treated, allowing you to avoid a more serious condition. In rare cases, some lesions can indicate other conditions. For instance, pigmented lesions on fundoscopic exams in both eyes could indicate congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium CHRPE , a condition that is completely asymptomatic. FAP is very rare and is linked to 1 percent of new colorectal cancers per year.
To learn more about the risks of CHRPE, it is best to consult with your eye doctor and see if you need more tests to get a proper diagnosis. You may also ask them about the pros and cons of genetic testing. They can recommend a specialist to discuss your options in detail. That said, there is generally nothing to worry about when it comes to eye freckles.
In most cases, they do not develop into a more serious condition. But of course, close observation and adequate precautions are always beneficial. Downtown Eyes is a privately owned optometric practice that provides quality eye care and eyewear. Every optician on our team is qualified and experienced in performing eye exams, contact lens fittings, LASIK surgery co-management, eye disease treatment and more.
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