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Choroidal Nevus services offered in Haverford, PA
A Choroidal Nevus, which is a pigmented lesion similar to a freckle, inside of the eye. At Main Line Retina in Haverford, Pennsylvania, board-certified ophthalmologist Hilary Brader, MD, detects and monitors choroidal nevi and other potentially cancerous lesions in the eye.
About 5% of people have a choroidal nevus, and many don't even know that they have one.
Most choroidal nevi do not cause symptoms and are benign.
There is a very small chance (~1 in 9,000) that a choroidal nevus can grow and transform into a melanoma (cancer).
Because of this, a choroidal nevus should be monitored regularly with specialized imaging to make sure it is not changing.
Choroidal Nevus Q & A
What is a choroidal nevus?
A choroidal nevus is a common benign pigmented lesion that appears in the choroid, which is the layer of blood vessels and connective tissue located under the retina in the inside of the eye. It is similar to a freckle or mole that occur on the skin, but develop inside the of the eye where they can only be seen during a dilated eye exam. About 5% of people in the United States may have a choroidal nevus.
A choroidal nevus is typically asymptomatic and often discovered during a routine eye exam. They can vary in size, shape, and color, but are generally flat and brown in color. While most choroidal nevi do not cause any vision problems, they do require monitoring because there is a small risk that they can develop into a malignant tumor called choroidal melanoma. Choroidal melanoma is a rare but serious vision and life-threatening form of eye cancer. This occurs at a rate of about 1 in 9,000 people yearly. If you have been told you have a choroidal nevus it should be monitored by a retina specialist. Dr. Brader has the most advanced imaging technology to monitor your choroidal nevus to make sure it is not changing over time.
What are the symptoms of a choroidal nevus?
Your eye doctor can detect a choroidal nevus during a routine eye exam, even if it doesn’t cause symptoms. If you develop symptoms, blurred vision, flashing lights, or a blind spot in your vision could be a sign of transformation to a melanoma.
What are the risk factors for a choroidal melanoma (cancerous transformation of a choroidal nevus)?
Risk factors for developing choroidal melanoma (cancer) include:
- Being Caucasian
- Having light-colored eyes
- Fair skin
- Tendency to burn when exposed to ultraviolet light
- Welding
- Having a choroidal nevus with high-risk characteristics (thickness, location, presence of fluid, pigmentation, symptoms, absence of signs of chronicity)
Although risk factors for choroidal melanoma are generally similar to the known risk factors for skin melanoma, choroidal melanoma is not thought to be caused by the sun.
How does my eye doctor detect a choroidal nevus?
Dr. Brader completes a dilated eye exam to detect a choroidal nevus or other eye abnormalities. If you have a nevus, she will use multiple advanced imaging technologies to document and measure your nevus and detect the presence or absence of risk factors for cancer. You should have imaging regularly to compare with old images and ensure that your nevus is not changing over time.
How is a choroidal nevus treated?
Your treatment for a choroidal nevus may include monitoring with serial imaging, or a specialist referral. If your choroidal nevus turns into a melanoma, Dr. Brader may refer you to an ocular oncologist. Treatment options for choroidal melanoma, if detected, may include radiation therapy, surgical removal, or other interventions depending on the size and location of the tumor.
It is important to detect a choroidal nevus in its early stage and monitor it for signs of cancer.
Schedule an eye exam at Main Line Retina by phone or online today.