Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsChoroidal NevusSymptomsTreatmentPossible Complications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Choroidal Nevus
Symptoms
Treatment
Possible Complications
Although the name sounds complicated, achoroidal nevusis simply a pigmented lesion (an area of skin different from the surrounding skin) found in the back of the eye—essentially, a freckle inside your eye.
This article will take you through exactly what this condition is, the symptoms, treatment, and possible complications of having a choroidal nevus.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is a Choroidal Nevus?
A choroidal nevus is the name given to a spot, freckle, or mole that appears in the back of the eye.Sometimes detected during a dilatedeye examination, these pigmented spots are usually flat and slate-greyish in color. Choroidal nevi are found in the choroid, a blood vessel-rich layer lying between the retina and the sclera.
Although they are not necessarily a “normal” or common finding, they typically do not indicate anything wrong with the eye. The cause is generally unknown. Nevi vary from patient to patient but most look very similar and have certain traits that eye doctors are very familiar with. Your healthcare provider will document this finding in your chart if it is detected during a routine eye exam.
What Causes a Nevus?
Symptoms of a Choroidal Nevus
Most choroidal nevi do not cause symptoms.Most nevi are discovered during a routine eye examination.
If nevi grow and disrupt the surrounding tissue, they may cause fluid or blood to leak out of the tissue. If this occurs, it can cause aretinal detachment. Sometimes, people with a retinal detachment related to a nevus will complain of seeing flashes of light and/or corresponding vision loss in their field of vision.
Choroidal nevi are fairly uncommon, with an incidence of 1%-2%.Many of us have retinal pigmentation variations that are more common but true choroidal nevi are fairly uncommon, especially large nevi. The best recommendation is to have annual eye examinations which include dilating the eyes with special eye drops.
If you have a nevus, your healthcare provider may want to see you every three to six months for the first year or two, to monitor your eye closely for possible changes.
Treating a Choroidal Nevus
Choroidal nevi are not usually harmful. However, just like a freckle or mole on your skin, there is a potential it could evolve into melanoma.It is difficult to observe a freckle in your own eye. You should follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations on when to come back or how to observe it in the future.
Photography is typically used to document the size of the choroidal nevus.Your healthcare provider will then schedule you to come back in three to six months to look for possible changes. If your healthcare provider has seen you for several years, then they may feel comfortable monitoring the nevus every 12 months.
If it appears unusual, however, you may be asked to return in a shorter period of time. Occasionally, certain diagnostic tests may be ordered, or you may be referred to a retinal specialist for a second opinion.
Possible Complications of a Choroidal Nevus
Choroidal nevi are benign (harmless), however, your eye doctor is trained to watch closely for the development of choroidal melanoma, a tumor found in the eye.In rare cases, the nevus must be biopsied and examined for melanoma (cancer) cells.
Choroidal melanomas are malignant tumors and must be treated. They may spread (metastasize) to other parts of your body and can be fatal.
Choroidal Nevi Cancer RiskOne of every 500 choroidal nevi will become malignant within 10 years of diagnosis.
Choroidal Nevi Cancer Risk
One of every 500 choroidal nevi will become malignant within 10 years of diagnosis.
Summary
A choroidal nevus is a freckle inside your eye. It is typically a harmless condition without symptoms but, rarely, can lead to cancer. Once diagnosed, the freckle will need to be monitored regularly to detect any changes.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ocular Melanoma Foundation.Understanding nevi.Chien JL, Sioufi K, Surakiatchanukul T, Shields JA, Shields CL.Choroidal nevus: a review of prevalence, features, genetics, risks, and outcomes.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2017;28(3):228-237. doi:10.1097/ICU.0000000000000361American Academy of Ophthalmology.Nevus (Eye Freckle).New York Eye Cancer Center.Choroidal nevus.American Society of Retina Specialists.Choroidal Nevus.Additional ReadingSowka, Joseph W. OD, FAAO, Andrew S. Gurwood, OD, FAAO, and Alan G. Kabat, OD, FAAO.Handbook of Ocular Disease Management, Choroidal Nevus. 2000-2001.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ocular Melanoma Foundation.Understanding nevi.Chien JL, Sioufi K, Surakiatchanukul T, Shields JA, Shields CL.Choroidal nevus: a review of prevalence, features, genetics, risks, and outcomes.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2017;28(3):228-237. doi:10.1097/ICU.0000000000000361American Academy of Ophthalmology.Nevus (Eye Freckle).New York Eye Cancer Center.Choroidal nevus.American Society of Retina Specialists.Choroidal Nevus.Additional ReadingSowka, Joseph W. OD, FAAO, Andrew S. Gurwood, OD, FAAO, and Alan G. Kabat, OD, FAAO.Handbook of Ocular Disease Management, Choroidal Nevus. 2000-2001.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ocular Melanoma Foundation.Understanding nevi.Chien JL, Sioufi K, Surakiatchanukul T, Shields JA, Shields CL.Choroidal nevus: a review of prevalence, features, genetics, risks, and outcomes.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2017;28(3):228-237. doi:10.1097/ICU.0000000000000361American Academy of Ophthalmology.Nevus (Eye Freckle).New York Eye Cancer Center.Choroidal nevus.American Society of Retina Specialists.Choroidal Nevus.
Ocular Melanoma Foundation.Understanding nevi.
Chien JL, Sioufi K, Surakiatchanukul T, Shields JA, Shields CL.Choroidal nevus: a review of prevalence, features, genetics, risks, and outcomes.Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2017;28(3):228-237. doi:10.1097/ICU.0000000000000361
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Nevus (Eye Freckle).
New York Eye Cancer Center.Choroidal nevus.
American Society of Retina Specialists.Choroidal Nevus.
Sowka, Joseph W. OD, FAAO, Andrew S. Gurwood, OD, FAAO, and Alan G. Kabat, OD, FAAO.Handbook of Ocular Disease Management, Choroidal Nevus. 2000-2001.
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