Birthmark On Eye: Understanding Common Benign Growths On The Eyes

An unknown mark or growth on the eye can be unsettling for patients. The good news is, most growths around the eye are benign and not at risk of turning cancerous.

It can be helpful for patients to familiarize themselves with some of these benign growths. A basic understanding of benign growths can put patients at ease and promote safe eye care choices.

Eye growths come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can vary in symptoms and severity. If a patient notices a growth in, or around, one of their eyes, they should immediately contact their eye doctor for a visit.

During the visit the eye doctor will examine the growth. Depending on the nature of the growth, the doctor may conduct tests to give a proper diagnosis. Additionally they may prescribe eye drops or other medications needed to treat symptoms a patient may be experiencing.

In the most severe circumstances, a growth on the eye may be malignant. Malignant growths form when cancerous cells develop into a mass and start invading nearby tissues. If an eye doctor suspects a growth to be malignant, they will perform a biopsy to determine if it is cancerous and has begun to spread.

Fortunately most growths around the eyes are benign. This means they are not cancerous and are unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. While benign growths are not as serious as their malignant counterparts, they may cause pain, irritation, and affect patients' vision.

There are a range of benign growths that can affect patients. These benign growths may occur on different parts of the eye, have unique causes, and have a range of symptoms.

A nevus (or eye freckle) is a colored growth on the surface of the eye. Around 1 in 10 people have the condition. A nevus may develop at any time in a patient’s life, but are often present at birth—which is why they may be referred to as a birthmark on the eye.

These birthmarks on the eye are typically harmless whether they’re present at birth or form later in life. However, a patient’s eye doctor may monitor changes in the growth as they have the potential to turn cancerous.

A nevus is made up of a collection of cells called melanocytes. Most of the time these cells spread throughout the body evenly. When they bunch together in a clump they form a nevus.

As with freckles on other parts of the body, nevi are typically visible to the naked eye. Normally they are harmless, but can cause symptoms such as blurry vision, eye floaters, and pain or discomfort.

In most cases, a nevus does not require treatment. They typically do not affect vision or lead to significant health issues. An eye doctor will usually not risk damage to the eye to remove a non-threatening growth.

However, a patient’s eye doctor will monitor the growth for changes over time. If the doctor suspects the growth will turn cancerous, they may recommend treatment. This treatment will usually involve radiation, surgery, or laser therapy.

A pinguecula is a yellowish, raised growth that forms on the conjunctiva. These growths are usually limited to the conjunctiva, and don’t spread to other parts of the eye.

A pinguecula will typically form on the side of the eye closest to the nose, although they can occur on either side of the eye. In most cases these benign growths will not affect a patient’s vision.

A pinguecula occurs due to changes in the conjunctiva, often caused by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, and eye irritants such as wind and dust.

Patients with a pinguecula can experience a range of symptoms. The most common of which is the presence of a small, yellowish patch on the conjunctiva.

Other symptoms can include: red eyes, itchy eyes, swelling or dry eyes, and foreign body sensation in the eye.

Not all patients will develop symptoms, and most symptoms are not dangerous or disruptive to a patient’s vision.

In most cases a pinguecula will not need to be treated. Patients may opt for treatment if the growth is uncomfortable or affecting their vision. The most common type of treatment is lubricating drops that relieve irritation from the pinguecula.

To relieve redness and swelling, a doctor can also prescribe steroid eye drops. These drops will typically be enough to provide relief for patients with a pinguecula, making surgery rare.

A pterygium (also called surfer’s eye) is a raised, wedge-shaped growth made of fleshy tissue. This type of growth can occur on either side of the eye, as opposed to a pinguecula which normally forms on the side of the eye closest to the nose.

A pterygium will form on the conjunctiva, but can extend to other parts of the eye. In certain cases they can extend as far as the cornea (outer layer of the eye), affecting a patient’s vision.

Like a pinguecula, a pterygium is caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun and dry weather irritants like wind and dust. Generally the longer exposure the more likely it is a patient will develop the condition.

There are a variety of symptoms of a pterygium. The most common is a raised pink growth on the eye.

Other symptoms can include irritated or swollen eyes, an itchy or burning sensation in or around the eyes, the sensation of particles of sand or grit in the eye, and excessive watering or tearing.

For non-serious cases of pterygium doctors will usually recommend either lubricating or steroid eye drops. These drops can relieve symptoms such as redness, dryness, and swelling.

In rare cases a patient may need surgery. This will only be recommended if prescription eye drops and ointments aren’t alleviating pain or if the pterygium is blocking vision and causing difficulty seeing.

A chalazion is a common inflammatory growth that affects the eyelid, it is caused by a plugged gland. A stye is a similar looking bacterial infection at the base of an eyelash follicle. It usually looks like a localized red lump.

Though styes and chalazion may look similar, they have different causes, and require different treatments if they don’t resolve on their own.

Chalazions are caused by plugging in the meibomian gland, located near the eyelid rim. When the gland becomes blocked, its fluids leak into surrounding tissues, triggering an inflammatory response. Symptoms range from a small, painless lump, to painful eyelid-wide inflammation.

A stye is caused by a bacterial infection in the eyelash follicle. Signs and symptoms can include a red lump on a patient's eyelid that is similar to a boil or a pimple, as well as eyelid pain and swelling.

Styes don’t require much treatment. They usually go away on their own within a few days. To soften the fluid from the stye, patients can apply a warm compress to the base of the infected eyelash. If the stye doesn’t recede, a patient’s doctor may treat it with an oral antibiotic.

An untreated chalazion may resolve on its own within a few weeks. However, it can also develop an acute secondary infection or become enlarged. Depending on the severity, an eye doctor may recommend warm compression, steroid treatment, or surgery.