What Is a Choroidal Nevus, and Should You Worry?

Most people are familiar with moles or freckles on their skin, but did you know similar spots can form inside or on your eye? These pigmented areas, called nevi (plural), are surprisingly common and usually harmless. Still, because they form in a part of the eye you can’t see yourself, they need to be checked and monitored by an eye care professional.

What is a Chorodial Nevus?

When a nevus develops inside the eye, specifically beneath the retina in a layer called the choroid, it’s referred to as a choroidal nevus. These spots are made up of pigment cells called melanocytes, which can clump together and form colored lesions ranging from brown and gray to yellow or even multicolored. Because they sit deep in the eye, choroidal nevi don’t affect your appearance and typically don’t cause symptoms. But that doesn’t mean they should be ignored.

How Are They Found and Monitored?

A choroidal nevus is often detected during a routine, dilated eye exam, when your ophthalmologist examines the layers beneath the retina. If one is found, your doctor may use imaging tools like optical coherence tomography (OCT) to take a closer look at its size, shape, and color. Baseline images are typically taken so future exams, usually scheduled every six months to a year, can track any changes over time. If the nevus remains stable for a year or two, it’s generally considered low risk. Still, because these spots can evolve, regular monitoring is essential.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Most choroidal nevi are harmless and don’t affect your vision or overall eye health. However, in rare cases, they can develop into a type of eye cancer known as choroidal melanoma. That’s why your doctor will closely monitor any changes. Features that may raise concern include:

• Elevation or thickening of the lesion
• Presence of orange pigment
• Fluid leakage beneath the retina

If any of these signs are detected, your ophthalmologist may recommend more frequent monitoring or additional testing to rule out malignancy.

Stay on Top of Your Eye Health

While discovering a choroidal nevus can be unsettling, most are completely benign and don’t require treatment. The key is regular monitoring with your eye specialist. Staying consistent with your check-ups gives your ophthalmologist the best chance of catching any early warning signs and helps ensure the health of your vision in the long run.

If you’ve been told you have a choroidal nevus—or haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam in a while—schedule an appointment with one of our retina specialists today. Your eyes deserve expert care.