topic Re: Freckle on eye?? in Community Chat

Freckle on eye??

qvc chick — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:44:34 GMT

I had my opthomologist appt. last night. I have not been there in 4 years. I don't have any major problems with my eyesight, other than it's getting worse as I'm getting older (I am 55).

Anyway, he put drops in my eyes, and then looked at them. He said I have a freckle (or a birthmark) on one of my eyes. He said it is usually nothing to worry about. I have never had anyone tell me that before, so I am worried.

Anyone have this?

Re: Freckle on eye??

croemer — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:59:16 GMT

I found this:

<h1>Choroidal Nevus Blog</h1>

<small>Monday, November 28th, 2011, 3:41 pm</small>

Your eye doctor has told you that you have a “freckle” in the back of your eye. What does this mean and how does this affect you in the future?

Many of us have freckles on various parts of our body. A freckle is a collection of pigmented cells. Your primary care doctor or dermatologist monitors the size and shape of these pigmented spots during your regularly scheduled visits. During many routine ocular exams, these freckles can be found in the back of the eye. When a freckle is located in the back of the eye, it is called a choroidal nevus. Because it is impossible to monitor a choroidal nevus without an ocular exam, if your doctor does find a freckle in the back of your eye, you may be advised to return for scheduled follow up visits to monitor for changes in the nevus.

If a nevus is found during a routine eye exam, a photograph is usually taken to document the size and shape of the freckle. Your doctor may see you back in 4-6 months for a follow up examination to make sure that the nevus is stable. After several visits where no change is documented, you may be advised to return annually for examinations. If at any time your doctor is suspicious of change, you may be referred to a retinal specialist for further evaluation. These doctors are known as retinal oncologists.

A choroidal nevus usually has no apparent symptoms for the patient. Only your eye doctor can properly diagnose and monitor your freckle. Although most choroidal nevi are harmless, there is a small percentage that progress to choroidal melanoma or cancer within the eye. This means that although rare, if your doctor diagnoses you with a freckly inside your eye, make sure that you return for your scheduled follow up visits!

Re: Freckle on eye??

sophiamarie — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 21:08:47 GMT

My ophthalmologist also told me that he saw a freckle (or multiple freckles) and told me to make an appt. with a Retina specialist. I did, and was told that I had AMD (age-related Macular Degeneration)..... That was almost 2 years ago.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to see a Retina specialist because there are two kinds of MD - wet and dry. I have the "dry" which is the more common.......

I am now followed up every 6 months. They take a bunch of pictures and compare them each time I go..... Always better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck.....Don't worry - one freckle doesn't sound bad at all but it's always a good idea to have a baseline.

Re: Freckle on eye??

DoneTryin — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 21:47:34 GMT

I had an ophthalmologist tell me about 20 years ago that he saw a freckle in the back of my eye, but not "on" my eye. He had me do a diagnostic procedure where they injected dye into my bloodstream, then took pictures of the inside of my eye. The dye was used as a contrast medium. He only had me do that just to confirm what he thought it was. I haven't had any problems & the last time I had my eyes checked (different dr. now), he said it was still there & no big deal.

Re: Freckle on eye??

BeckiWV — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:07:49 GMT

My adult daughter has one of these also.

Her doctor keeps tabs on it but so far, there has been nothing to worry about.

Re: Freckle on eye??

route 7 — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:15:40 GMT

I also have one along with another eye problem. I see a retinal specialist every year and get my eyes dilated, etc. Don't worry about it but make sure to get your eyes check regularly and wear good sunglasses.

Re: Freckle on eye??

pepes mom — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:18:31 GMT

I was diagnosed with a nevus when I was 37. The first ophthalmologist mentioned it, but didn't take a pic of it. Changed ophthalmologists and he took a special pic with a special camera. When I go for an exam, I always get my eyes dilated. My nevus hasn't changed. I'm confident in my doc's skill and I'm not worried about the nevus.

Re: Freckle on eye??

lulu2 — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:18:42 GMT

On 4/4/2014 qvc chick said:
I had my opthomologist appt. last night. I have not been there in 4 years. I don't have any major problems with my eyesight, other than it's getting worse as I'm getting older (I am 55).

Anyway, he put drops in my eyes, and then looked at them. He said I have a freckle (or a birthmark) on one of my eyes. He said it is usually nothing to worry about. I have never had anyone tell me that before, so I am worried.

Anyone have this?

What did your doctor recommend?

Re: Freckle on eye??

Suziepeach — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 22:39:37 GMT

Re: Freckle on eye??

sidsmom — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:08:32 GMT

I JUST came back from the eye doctor...yep the only freckle on my body is in my eye! Had it last year on my pictures as well, so steady as she goes!!

Re: Freckle on eye??

Burnsite — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:12:04 GMT

QVC chick, Seek a second opinion if you are concerned. An ocular melanoma is one thing they would be looking for.

Usually a pigmented area is nothing to be worried about, though. But that is one reason they would follow through, with a "freckle".

It might be worth a second opinion if you are worried, though the retinal exams aren't too much fun.

Re: Freckle on eye??

croemer — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:34:34 GMT

On 4/4/2014 sidsmom said:
I JUST came back from the eye doctor...yep the only freckle on my body is in my eye! Had it last year on my pictures as well, so steady as she goes!!

Good to know you and all the other posters are being so proactive. Best of luck to you all.

Re: Freckle on eye??

FrostyBabe — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:37:00 GMT

I've had one for as long as I can remember. It's no big deal.