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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
A choroidal nevus is a benign pigmented spot inside the eye — like a freckle on the back wall. Most are harmless and just need monitoring.
What helps
Here's the plan — and why it works.
Mainstay
Periodic monitoring
Fundus photography establishes a baseline. Your eye doctor compares photos over time to check for growth, thickness change, or new orange pigment.
Imaging
OCT scan
Optical coherence tomography measures thickness and looks for fluid under the retina — both warning signs that increase monitoring frequency.
If concerning
Ultrasound
Ocular ultrasound measures elevation more accurately than OCT for thicker lesions. Used when a nevus appears thick or is changing.
Rare
Specialist referral
If a lesion has multiple risk factors for transformation, an ocular oncologist will be consulted. Definitive treatment for melanoma is highly specialized.
Come in promptly if
You notice new blurred vision, flashing lights, a dark spot in your vision, or visual distortion. These don't always relate to the nevus but warrant a same-week exam.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
Should I be worried?+
Almost always no. Most choroidal nevi never change. The reason we photograph and monitor is simply to catch the very small fraction that do, while they're still very treatable.
How often do I need to come in?+
It depends on the size, location, and any risk features. Stable, small, thin nevi often need annual exams. Larger or higher-risk ones may need every 4–6 months.
Can a choroidal nevus turn into cancer?+
Transformation to melanoma is rare. Specific features — increased thickness, orange pigment overlying the lesion, fluid under it, and proximity to the optic nerve — raise the risk and trigger closer follow-up.
Can I see it in the mirror?+
No. The choroid is at the back of the eye, behind the retina. You can't see it yourself. Your eye doctor sees it through a dilated exam.
Does it affect my vision?+
Most don't. Some larger nevi sit in a position that produces a small permanent blind spot or distortion, but most are silent.