[Click! Health] A Spot Appeared in the Eye... Treatment Varies Depending on the Shape

Spots on the eye appear dark or black due to the activation of melanin cells within the tissue, similar to skin moles, and are a type of ocular disease. They generally pose no harm to the body and are mostly removed for cosmetic purposes. Representative conditions include conjunctival nevus, Ota nevus, and pterygium. Cha Heung-won, a corneal specialist at Kim Eye Hospital, emphasizes, “Since the causes, locations, and treatments differ for each condition, it is important to consult a specialist for proper treatment.”

Eye image

Conjunctival nevus is a spot that forms on the conjunctival epithelial layer covering the white part of the eye, appearing widely spread on the sclera in light yellow or brown colors. It often does not affect eye function, so medical treatment is usually unnecessary; however, if it poses cosmetic concerns, it can be removed through laser or medication treatments. In rare cases, it may develop malignantly, and in such instances, surgical excision and biopsy may be required depending on changes in shape, size, and color.

Ota nevus differs in the location of the spot compared to conjunctival nevus. It forms on the sclera, the white part inside the eye, with the nevus covered by the conjunctiva, giving it a bluish appearance. It is not hereditary and is also treated surgically for cosmetic reasons. While conjunctival nevi can be cleanly treated as the conjunctival tissue regenerates after removal, Ota nevus is located deeper in the sclera, making removal more complex. Specialist Cha Heung-won advises, “Early treatment is not necessary, and surgery can be performed after the eye is fully developed, typically after age 6. However, since general anesthesia is required at a young age, it is better to undergo surgery after reaching adulthood when local anesthesia can be used.”

Pterygium, also known as gunnalgae, is a condition where fibrovascular tissue proliferates from the sclera toward the cornea, causing the black pupil to appear triangular and white. It is more prevalent with increasing age and occurs more frequently in males than females. Although the exact cause is unknown, it commonly occurs in people who spend a lot of time outdoors, so strong ultraviolet rays are suspected to be the main cause. If the size becomes too large, surgery is necessary, and if surgery is performed before age 60, the recurrence rate is relatively high at 40-50%. The timing of surgery should be carefully decided based on the extent of corneal involvement.