Freckles in the Eyes

An eye freckle is a natural mark that can take on a personality of its own. However, there are times when eye freckles could be the sign of something more serious. An iris freckle, moles on the eyeball, and other hyperpigmentation spots on the eye should be checked by a doctor. While freckles are usually nothing to fear, it is important to pay attention to the warning signs that the eye freckle is more than just a beauty mark.

Here is what you need to know about eye freckles, and how to reduce the health risks.

What Are Eye Freckles? 

Fairly common, and essentially not serious eye freckles can occur for many reasons. However, if you have an eye freckle it could develop into a more serious health concern known as melanoma. This is rare, but potentially dangerous to your overall health even if the risk is only in your eye. 

Talk to your ophthalmologist about discolorations in your eyes including moles, hyperpigmentation, and eye freckles. Oftentimes, harmful freckles can be prevented by identifying risk factors and reducing any type of health problems associated with your lifestyle.

What Causes Eye Freckles? 

Eye freckles occur for a variety of reasons. Some people notice that they have an eye freckle, but do not know what caused it, or how to prevent more freckles in their eyes. 

• Positive family history

Depending on your race, medical history, and your family genetics you could be at a greater risk of developing eye freckles. Generally, people with a lighter skin tone are more prone to developing an eye freckle, or a mole in the eyeball than people with a darker skin tone. 

• Damaging UV rays

The sun produces harmful ultraviolet radiation that contributes to the breakdown of tissues in the hair, skin, and eyes. If improperly protected from the sun, UV rays can not only burn, and damage your skin, but they may also cause eye freckles. Notice that there are different types of damaging UV rays including UVA, and UVB. 

Both of these types of ultraviolet rays require different levels of protection. People who spend excessive amounts of time in the sun are shown to have more incidence of an iris freckle. 

NOTE: Always use quality eyeglasses when you are outdoors to protect yourself from harmful UV rays, even if it is not sunny outside. 

• Conjunctival pigmented lesions 

This is a type of lesion in the area of the white part of the eye. Known as the conjunctiva, the area is a common place where eye freckles develop. Over half of all conjunctival lesions appear during childhood. 

• A type of birthmark 

Many people are born with an eye freckle. A type of birthmark, eye freckles are similar to the types of melanocytes on the skin (hyperpigmentation) known as freckles. 

• Iris pigmented lesions  

The area of your eye that is colored is called the iris. When a freckle occurs on the iris it is also called an iris nevus – one of the most common types of eye freckles. 

• Choroidal pigmented lesions 

Approximately one out of ten people has this type of eye freckle that occurs in the back of the eye. This type of hyperpigmented lesion, also known as choroidal nevus, can be a sign of more serious health concerns. When you see these flat spots of freckles on your eye, talk to your doctor. 

Understanding More About Your Eye Freckles

It is important to understand each distinctive mark of your eyes. There are many different sizes, shapes, and colors of eye freckles depending on the type of eye color you have, and genetics in your family. 

You may have a very unique look because of your eye freckles. Some people have light brown spots in the white area, while others have dark, flat hyperpigmentation in the colored area of their eyes. All of these are distinctive markings that only you possess. 

While it is rare that hyperpigmentation spots of the eye, eye freckles, and moles on the eyeball are dangerous, in some cases they could be an indication of a health problem. That is why it is important to keep good track of the type of eye freckles you have. If they change over time, report the changes to your doctor, and ask if you need an eye specialist for further care.  

When you have distinctive-looking eyes, it could be the color, family genetics, or other marks like eye freckles. However, when eye freckles or moles develop over time or suddenly appear, your body could be telling you that something is wrong. Do not ignore your eye freckles! Call to the offices of Diamond Vision today about maintaining your healthy eyes and good vision.

New York City is one of the best cities to see. That’s why you need to care of your eyesight. Visit our Manhattan Eye Center for any assistance.