Can an eye nevus turn into melanoma?
A benign appearing choroidal nevus (eye freckle). Like a raised freckle on the skin, nevi can also occur inside your eye. The most common “choroidal nevus” or eye nevus are unusual and can only be seen by an eye care specialist. Like a nevus on the skin, a choroidal nevus can grow into a malignant melanoma.
Can a nevus in the eye be removed?
If a nevus does need to be removed due to any complications, melanoma, or suspicion of melanoma, this is done with surgery. Depending on the individual situation, local excision (using a very small blade) or argon laser photoablation (using a laser to remove tissue) are possible options.
What percentage of choroidal nevus becomes melanoma?
It has been estimated that 6% of the white population harbors a choroidal nevus13 and that 1 in approximately 8000 of these nevi transform into melanoma. Further thought into age-adjusted lifetime risk revealed that by age 80 years, the risk for transformation is 0.78% and the risk would thereafter approach 1%.
Should I be worried about choroidal nevus?
Should I be worried if I have a choroidal nevus? Choroidal nevi are common and occur in about 5-10% of the population. Even though most nevi do not affect vision or cause any problems, they should still be watched regularly. Just like a skin mole can become cancerous, an eye nevus could do the same.
What is a retinal nevus?
A nevus is a common, colored growth on or in your eye. Sometimes called a freckle of the eye, it is similar to a mole on your skin. A nevus (plural: nevi) can be in the front of your eye, around the iris, or under the retina at the back of the eye.
What is a pigmented lesion in the eye?
A choroidal nevus is a flat, benign pigmented area that appears in the back of the eye and is basically an eye freckle. If your doctor refers to a lesion in your eye that needs to be tracked, she is most likely talking about a choroidal nevus.
What causes pigmentation in the eye?
Pigment dispersion syndrome is a condition that happens when pigment rubs off of the back of the iris of the eye when the fibers supporting the lens rub against it. This pigment is deposited in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, where the fluid drains out.
What does pigmentation in the eye mean?
Pigment is the material that gives your iris its color. Pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) happens when the pigment rubs off the back of your iris. This pigment then floats around to other parts of the eye. The tiny bits of pigment can clog your eye’s drainage angle. This can cause eye pressure problems.
Is it common to have a choroidal nevus?
Wills Eye Hospital, which sees a vere large number of cases, states, “Choroidal nevus is the most common intraocular tumor, occurring in about seven percent of adults.” Suffice it to say, approximately 1 in 10 people have these freckles.
How often should a choroidal nevus be checked?
All choroidal nevi should be examined at least once a year. If your doctor notices certain features on your nevus, you may need to be checked more often. For example, if the nevus is particularly large or thick, has orange pigment, or is leaking fluid, then it is more likely to grow into a melanoma.
Is a choroidal nevus serious?
Behind the retina is the choroid, a layer of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to the eye. Nevi that develop in this layer are choroidal nevi. Although these are usually harmless, they should be monitored regularly because they have the potential to evolve into an aggressive melanoma.
Can a choroidal nevus go away?
A typical choroidal nevus usually does not require any treatment.