Know How Our Doctor Cleared a Patient’s Doubts About Choroidal Nevus Transformation Into Melanoma

An iCliniq user, who had a few doubts about her choroidal nevus (a pigmented area at the back of the eye) in her right eye diagnosis, reached out to an ophthalmologist for diagnosis. Her optometrist told her eye was in good shape and there was no need to worry. But later, her anxiety made her think about melanoma as she had a family history of cancer.

iCliniq's doctor patiently went through the query and explained that a choroidal nevus is usually a benign pigmented tumor of the blood vessels or choroid (middle layer of tissue in the eyewall) beneath the tumor. It is usually gray in appearance but can be brown, yellow, or white. It is the most common benign intraocular tumor and is seen in about 7 % of the population. And he also mentioned that only in rare cases (1 in approximately 8000 cases of choroidal nevus) may it turn cancerous (choroidal melanoma). This is why patients with choroidal nevus are encouraged to get their eyes examined every six months. During these examinations, the doctor will see if the choroidal nevus increases in size or thickness, turns orange, or leaks fluid. If present, it is more likely to turn into a melanoma. He suggested that no medical treatment was needed for choroidal nevus as it does not affect the vision or produce any further complications.

The patient further enquired if it could stay benign for the rest of her life. And she was anxious because her optometrist referred her to a general physician for routine examination. She was worried, thinking that the nevus was a melanoma, which had already spread to the rest of the body.

Our doctor explained that choroidal nevus is usually detected on routine dilated fundus examination by an eye specialist using indirect ophthalmoscopy. It can be visualized by an ophthalmoscope, which is available in a general physician's office. So a general physician can examine the choroidal nevus routinely and exclude some important points that usually indicate a bad prognosis. He also added that only in rare cases can choroidal nevus turn into melanoma or become cancerous and is mostly stable overtime for the rest of the life. He also asked the patient not to worry and avoid any anxiety or tension regarding this issue.

The patient was so happy and relaxed after our doctor's words. She said that iCliniq doctor's explanation had reduced her anxiety substantially, and she would continue visiting the general physician every six months for examination.