Choroidal Nevus

A choroidal nevus appears as a dark spot in the eye, and is an accumulation of pigment cells.  There are 10 layers of the retina, and underneath the retinal tissue lies the choroidal tissue, and this is the location of the nevus.  A choroidal nevus is often referred to as a "freckle" in the back of the eye.  Nevi are usually harmless, and fairly common.  However, just as a freckle or mole on your skin can become malignant, choroidal nevi can also morph into melanomas.  The only way to really monitor this is by photocomparison.  Your doctor will want to take photographs of your eye every year.  We will then be able to put them up side by side and look for any changes in size, shape, color, blood vessel growth or deposits on the surface.  

It is very important to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays.   UV light can cause many eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration to happen sooner, and can also cause the cells in a nevus to change.