Have you even been asked what is that spot in your eye or have you seen someone with a spot and wanted to ask?
Pigmentation or brown spots on the surface of the eyes are very common particularly in darker skinned individuals. The most common type is a mole or correctly called a “nevus” just like that on your skin. There is also a next common type found in darker skin individuals called “complexion associated melanosis”. This is the one that causes the white of both eyes to look darker in some people.
They are both benign or non-cancerous spots that just affect the appearance of the eyes. Rarely they can become malignant and develop into melanomas, but this is quite uncommon.
A nevus or mole starts off when we are young and may grow or darken around puberty but they do not grow or change as an adult except during pregnancy. They may however, vary in depth of pigmentation from individual to individual. They are benign but because of the small malignant potential they need to be review by your eye specialist annually.
“Complexion associated melanosis” is common in darker skin individuals. This may develop later in life and occurs in both eyes. It may not be completely symmetrical. It is also a benign condition, with only a small chance of malignant potential.
Should these lesions change in any way including size or colour then a biopsy may become necessary to make sure there are no malignant changes.
If the pigmentation is stable with no change, it will not need to be removed but only monitored annually.
Moles or nevus can also occur on the eyelids as well. They may be clearly visible here and produce some cosmetic distress to the patient. These can be removed if necessary.
So, if you have any pigmentation of your eyes then visit us to lean what type you have and your treatment options. Contact us at 319-3937 or 319-EYES
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