These brown spots, known as nevus, are caused by melanocytes – cells that produce pigment for hair, skin, and eyes. Nevus usually forms due to exposure to ultraviolet light.
The important thing to remember is that these brown spots can be dangerous. And, even if you can learn how to naturally remove brown spots from eyes, information should come first and you have to listen to your doctors.
What Are They?
Brown spots in the eyes are usually harmless, though it’s always wise to have them evaluated by your eye doctor or care team. Most brown spots in eyes are made up of melanocyte cells clumped together which give off pigment that stains your hair, skin, and iris of your eye – some people inherit these melanocyte clumps from birth while others develop them with age – these spots are sometimes called eye freckles or nevi and rarely cause symptoms.
However, in rare instances these nevi can evolve into an extremely dangerous form of skin cancer known as ocular melanoma, making detection even harder due to no early warning symptoms or signs. If you notice changes to these spots around the white part of your eye (sclera) or colored part (iris), consult with an eye care practitioner immediately as early detection could save lives.
Eye specialists will conduct a physical examination, taking photographs of any nevi. Additionally, fluorescein eye stain tests or biopsies may be administered to confirm they are indeed benign nevi and not cancerous lesions in your eye. Based on this examination process, they will recommend appropriate treatment plans – this may include surgery.
Are They Cancerous?
Brown spots on the white of your eye tend to be harmless; however, they should still be monitored by a healthcare provider. A fluorescein eye stain test or biopsy can help detect changes in the shape or color of a spot that could signal cancerous growth; your doctor can perform additional testing if they suspect precancerous melanoma; they may refer you for additional diagnostic procedures as soon as they see this problem developing.
Nevus spots, similar to moles on the skin, can appear anywhere on or around an eye’s iris or sclera and in some rare instances may even turn into an eye cancer called ocular melanoma.
As soon as you notice a new brown spot in your eyes, it is imperative that you contact your physician or eye care team immediately. In particular, if it has become red and has changed shape or size significantly over time, this could be a telltale sign of ocular melanoma; should it turn out cancerous, your eye doctor may advise either laser eye surgery, radiation therapy or both to save your sight.
Are They Irregular?
If the brown spots you’ve noticed have changed shape or color, or are asymmetrical in form or appearance, it is time to visit an eye doctor immediately. They may suggest treatment options like radiation or surgery as appropriate solutions.
Most brown spots on the sclera are caused by nevus, benign tumors formed when melanin-producing cells gather together and form tumors. Although typically harmless, prolonged sun exposure (common among blue-green or light-colored eyes) increases their likelihood of becoming cancerous and must be taken seriously to reduce cancerous risks.
Certain health conditions or disorders may alter the pigmentation of the sclera, giving it a blue tint or even leading to jaundice. These could include genetic diseases like osteogenesis imperfecta or Marfan syndrome as well as iron deficiency anemia.
Sclerae may thin or bulge, a condition known as ectasia that can lead to pain or vision changes. Ectasia may also occur if you suffer from central serous chorioretinopathy – an accumulation of fluid beneath the retina that may result in blurred vision as well as being an early indicator of cancer.
Are They Painful?
Factors can lead to the formation of brown spots on either your eye’s sclera or within its iris, known as nevi, known by various terms. Melanocytes produce a natural dye that gives hair, skin, and eyes their color; therefore these melanocytes clumping together is what causes these spots – not present at birth or developing over time – however, some risks exist with regard to them turning cancerous in later years.
Though there’s no way to completely prevent brown spots from developing, you can take steps to lessen their severity by avoiding tanning beds, wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats when outdoors, and attending regular appointments with an eye doctor who will monitor any changes in appearance or size of a brown spot. In doing this, the best chance of maintaining eye health and vision can be secured.
If a spot grows or changes shape suddenly, it could be an indication of ocular melanoma – an incurable form of cancer with no early warning symptoms that require medical treatment immediately if seen or any changes to vision occur. See your eye doctor immediately if any significant eye changes arise, especially those that affect eyesight.
Should You Worry About Them?
Brown spots on your eyes can range from completely harmless to potentially life-threatening. A dark spot may develop on either the white part of your eyeball (known as the sclera) or in your colored iris due to high levels of melanin pigment (the natural coloring agent that gives skin, hair, and eyes their hue), which increases with darker skin tones as more melanocytes absorb ultraviolet light to produce this pigment.
Eye splotches may be harmless nevuses that will not grow larger over time, while in other instances a dark spot may indicate precancerous tissue known as ocular melanoma and need immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist to detect any changes or symptoms that arise from their presence.
Billings Vision Center can also assist if you experience sudden, increased numbers of dark shapes lingering across your visual field known as floaters – these could include black spots, drifting squiggly lines, or cobweb shapes.
