Should I worry about a freckle in my eye?

A freckle in your eye might seem odd, but they’re actually common and usually harmless. If you have one, your eye doctor may want to watch it over time. It’s rare, but they can turn into a type of cancer called melanoma. So whether they’re old or new, it’s always a good idea to get them checked out.

What percentage of eye freckles are cancerous?

Estimates put occurence at 2\%1,2,3 on the low end and 10\%-13\%4 on the high end. 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 do I know if my eye freckles are cancerous?

When they do occur, signs and symptoms of eye melanoma can include:

• A sensation of flashes or specks of dust in your vision (floaters)
• A growing dark spot on the iris.
• A change in the shape of the dark circle (pupil) at the center of your eye.
• Poor or blurry vision in one eye.
• Loss of peripheral vision.

What does freckles in your eyes mean?

Iris freckles are tiny, dark brown flecks on the surface of the colored part of the eye (iris). 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.

Can eye freckles go away?

While most eye freckles remain noncancerous, it’s important to have an eye doctor monitor them. There is a small chance that they can develop into eye melanoma. The earlier you notice that a nevus starts to change, the sooner it can be treated — before it possibly turns into something more serious.

Can you get rid of eye freckles?

Treatment. Generally, eye freckles do not require treatment because they are usually harmless — much like the moles and freckles on your skin. They are not likely to affect your vision. The only time you may need treatment is if your doctor thinks your nevus might be a melanoma.

Can an eye freckle be removed?

In this case, your eye freckle would have to be monitored by an eye doctor through regular exams in order to document any size, shape or color changes. In the event that complications occur and the nevus needs to be removed, this can be done through surgery.

How do you treat eye freckles?

Are freckles in eyes genetic?

Eye freckles can be caused by genetic traits or sun exposure. You can be born with eye freckles or develop them later in life. There are actually several kinds of eye freckles, and proper examination by a professional eye doctor ensures proper diagnosis and treatment planning.

Are eye freckles genetic?

How do you prevent eye freckles?

Are eye freckles something to worry about?

1. Protect your eyes from excessive sun exposure. Because exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is a risk factor for developing nevi, wear sunglasses anytime you’re outside.
2. Have regular eye exams.
3. Have your eye doctor watch for changes.

Can freckles turn into melanoma?

Congenital nevi occur in about one in 100 people. These moles are slightly more likely to develop into melanoma (cancer) than are moles that appear after birth. A mole or freckle should be checked if it has a diameter of more than a pencil eraser or any characteristics of the ABCDEs of melanoma (see below).

Why have I suddenly developed freckles?

Freckles are believed to develop as a result of both genetic inheritance and sun exposure. Sun emits ultraviolet rays that your skin absorbs, due to which production of melanin increases. This increased melanin unusually deposits at particular spots of your skin, resulting in freckles.

Does the Sun make freckles worse?

The exposure to the sun, particularly UV-B radiation causes “melanocytes to increase melanin production” which actually makes freckles darker. They are there but will only become more pronounced due to the exposure to the sun.

Is it bad thing to have freckles?

Freckles are not dangerous . However, as people with freckles have skin that is more sensitive to sunlight, they should take extra care to protect their skin from the sun. Sun spots can resemble freckles. Freckles can look very similar to other marks that develop on the skin.

How can you tell if freckles are cancerous?

The edges of a healthy freckle or mole should feel smooth and fairly even. Ragged, raised, or notched borders can be a sign of cancer. C: change in color A healthy freckle or mole should be a…