What Causes Eye Freckles?
Eye freckles, which are typically brown or yellow in color, are much like the freckles on your skin. The medical term for these is “nevi,” and in most cases they are nothing to worry about – they are simply a collection of melanin, which gives your eyes and skin their color. Nevi can appear on the surface of the eye, including the colored part of the eye, or in the back of the eye.
For some, nevi may run in the family, but nevi can also develop because of exposure to the sun, just like freckles on the skin do. If you have a light complexion and eyes with a light color, you may be more at risk for nevi.
What Can I Do About Eye Freckles?
Although it can be alarming when you notice a spot on your eye, in most cases nevi are harmless; they won’t affect your vision and they aren’t usually harmful to the eye. Because they really don’t hurt the eye, it may do more harm than good to have a nevi removed. However, you should see your eye doctor if you notice that your nevi changes size or shape.
Wearing sunglasses is always a good idea to protect your eyes from sunlight, and sunglasses can also help to prevent nevi from forming.
If you are concerned about your nevi, you should speak with your eye doctor about them. Nevi are yet another example of why you should plan on annual exams with your eye doctor – he or she will want to keep track of anything new concerning your eye health and your vision. Contact North Suburban Eye Associates, with offices in Waltham, Winchester, and Wakefield, Massachusetts. Call (781) 245-5200 for an appointment today!