Eye Cancer? Eye Freckle Vs Melanoma of the Eye

Ever been told you had an Eye Freckle? This freckle or “choroidal nevus” is concerning as it could become an ocular melanoma, a potentially deadly form of eye cancer. Learn what testing can be done, the diagnosis and what treatments are available.

There are many different pigmented spots that can appear in the eyeball and one of these spots appears as a freckle or mole behind the retina. This retinal nevus or “choroidal nevus” is basically a mole behind the retina of the eye and could potentially become a melanoma. Melanoma of the eye is a type of eye cancer that can seriously threaten a person's eyesight as well as their life.
These choroidal nevi are typically found in about 7-10% of the population but thankfully most people never develop a choroidal melanoma. However, due to the severity of the diagnosis, eye doctors take the evaluation of choroidal nevi very seriously.

📙 To learn more about clinical science regarding this diagnosis: please see these references

If you have ever been told you have a mole on the back of your eye or that you have an “eye freckle”, I hope you find this video helpful and informative. Thank you for watching!
-Joseph J. Allen, OD, FAAO, Diplo ABO

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💥 Note: UV light (and blue light to some extent) has been implicated to be a potential cause for worsening choroidal melanoma growth
Best to protect your eyes with Full UV light protection sunglasses and wide brimmed hats.

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TimeStamps
0:00 Eye Freckle vs Melanoma of the Eye
0:50 Eye Freckle Explained
1:19 Choroidal Nevus
1:44 Eye Cancer
1:57 Choroidal Melanoma
2:34 Testing for Choroidal Melanoma vs Choroidal Nevus
3:36 To Find Small Ocular Melanoma Mnemonic
4:34 Eye Cancer Symptoms
6:26 New Mnemonic with Fundus Photography
7:07 Risk Factors
7:30 Eye Cancer Treatment

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About This Video: Ever been told you had an eye freckle or eye nevus? A retinal nevus or “choroidal nevus” is basically a mole behind the retina of the eye and could potentially become a melanoma. Melanoma of the eye is a type of eye cancer that can seriously threaten a person's eyesight as well as their life. In this video, I break down the diagnosis of a choroidal nevi and what eye doctors think about when evaluating for a possible choroidal melanoma.

#eyecancer #melanoma #doctoreyehealth

[DoctorEyeHealth]

What eye health topic would you like to see covered next?! I take your requests seriously and I appreciate you all!

[renatoperezda]

I had eye melanoma 16 years ago. I received radiation but at the end I had an eye enucleation (eye removal). In those days, there were a lack of information of eye cancer and its consequences. Every six months I visit my ophthalmologist-oncologist for following-up. I have a pretty normal life--working, reading, writing, driving, exercising...etc.

[Pinawa-Sapper]

Was diagnosed with melanoma in the back of my right eye January 2019 and received proton beam treatment on the eye. Now receiving liver scans every 6 months and so far, so good. Your video was very informative and explained very well. My freckle picked up by optician in 2014.

[dougcoxon]

So I’m 72 and have been seeing my Ophthalmologist yearly since 2014 when I had cataract surgery. No issues until this year, when she sees something and takes photographs. Next thing I knew I had an appointment with a retinal specialist. She took more photos and told me I had a choroidal nevus. No additional warning signs at that time. She seemed surprised that I’d been seeing my Ophthalmologist for 11 years, and this just now turned up, which gave me the impression that it’s a recent development. I have a follow up with the retinal specialist in September. I have a hunch I’ll be doing this on a frequent basis. Thanks for your video. It definitely provided things to ponder.

[DelilahsCritters]

Thank you! I have a retinal nevus and always make a point to mention it to my doctor. Because of this video I am going to begin requesting imaging and require that they monitor it more closely. I appreciate your videos!

[lisavitale]

Thank you for your video on this topic. Last November, I had an emergency visit with my optometrist and was told I had a freckle in my left eye and inflammation around my optic nerve. I was referred to a retina specialist and then referred to two ocular oncologists. Long story short, I have an atypical nevus and the nevus is being monitored every few months. Keeping fingers crossed that things will remain stable and nothing changes over time.

[aliciawiser]

This just popped up in my feed. I was diagnosed with choroidal malignant melanoma 3 months ago. Today I’m laying in a hotel waiting for tomorrow to come to get the radiation plaque removed that was put in on Tuesday. There was no warning for me. I have a pituitary tumor that was found in 2006 and I began having vision changes and migraines so my endocrinologist wanted to make sure it was not pressing on my optic nerves. I went in for a field vision test and there it was. Because of it being so rare, finding an ocular oncologist on my area was difficult. I had to travel 4 hours away. I can not stress enough how important it is to get yearly exams with dilation. It could save your life.

[tracyg]

my dad was diagnosed today with a choroidal melanoma tumor by the team at Wills Eye Hospital; Dr. Carol Shields. she found it to be 20mm wide and 7mm thick. two weeks ago his local opthamologist referred to this as a "spot" of melanoma. WTH? it's a HUGE tumor! too big for radiation and he's fought skin cancers for years so he's not a candidate for the trials. thanks for the video this was extremely helpful. We return for his enucleation next week.

[kathleenpatterson]

Thank you for this video. I have 4 choroidal nevi in my eyes. I get photos of the annually. Also see retina specialist annually. You gave me more info in this video than either of my physicians. Thank you!

[emccormack]

Thanks for talking about this topic. I had never heard of Ocular Melanoma until I was diagnosed. Now I remind everyone to get their eyes dilated when they go for an eye exam.

[Mazanity]

Just want to say thank you for posting this video.

[joshreese_optometry]

I feel like you always are on top of exactly what we are discussing in Optometry School!

[kathycera]

My Mom was diagnosed with this disease and unfortunately it spread to her liver and she passed away. She did receive radiation prior, but the Dr said there still was a 50/50 chance it would spread.

[melissaamericafirst]

I’ve had freckles on my eyes my whole life. One has changed and growled outward. It’s causing pain…. I’m going tomorrow to see a doctor.

[UNkWabbT]

I just went to my eye doctor last week and was told I had a "freckle" on my left eye. A few years ago, another optometrist told me the same thing but at that time they also diagnosed me as having an ocular hole - same eye. The ocular hole seems to have pretty much corrected itself...fortunately. She kept asking if I had any questions, but I didn't really have enough knowledge or information to ask any questions. It would be nice if they would tell you what you should be concerned about if they find this type of thing in an exam. I know that as I've gotten older my vision in my left eye has begun to deteriorate more than I would have expected.

[kathrynmettelka]

Thank you this informative video. It helps to know something about such a condition to know how to respond intelligently to our doctors.

[tomewatson]

I have an interesting story about my choroidal nevus. My optometrist first noticed it many years ago during a dilated eye exam. He said that it was unlikely to be cancerous and sent me to a retina specialist to have it checked out.

The retina specialist examined my eyes and took pictures of the nevus. He said the chances that it was cancerous was very small, but he wanted to see me once a year to make sure that it wasn't changing. I saw him annually for several years and there were no changes. The doctor was eventually tried and found guilty of tax evasion. He lost his medical license and was sent to prison.

Another doctor took over his practice. When I saw him for my annual exam, he examined the nevus and looked at the records from my past exams. He said to me, "This nevus has been stable for years. I don't need to see you again. Your optometrist can monitor it".

Since then my optometrist has performed a dilated exam every two years. There have not been any changes. I think the retina specialist just wanted my money.

[CROqwe]

Love the content!
Can you make a video about conjunctival nevus?

[trssly]

Hey doctor I have a question can I email you

[filmic]

I'm a T2 Diabetic, well controlled, thus far, and I get a diabetic eye exam every year. She showed I have these faint brown spots. She said they are like what we old folks get 'liver spots' on our skin. She said nothing further, save that I have cataracts that will need surgery eventually. Yeah, they take photos of the back of my eye..