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Eye Care  (Expert Forum)
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Brown pigment on the white part of eye
Answered by
John C Hagan III, MD, FACS - Ophthalmology
Discover Vision Centers Kansas City - MO
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Brown pigment on the white part of eye

by Srh6, Jul 23, 2007 12:00AM
I have a brown mark on the inner white area of my left eye. It doesn't affect my vision, but it gives me a very low self-esteem! When I'm talking to people, they stare at it, and I feel so bad! I was not born with it, but I have it since when I was a child. I know the stain is on the thin membrane of my eye because I can move it using a cotton swab. Is it possible to have a surgery to remove it?  
Doctor's Answer

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Jul 23, 2007 12:00AM
Most likely the spot is a benign 'freckle' or 'nevus' of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane over the eyeball (sclera). See an ophthalmologist to evaluate it. If it's totally benign your insurance may not authorize the removal for what would be purely cosmetic reasons.

JCH MD Ophthalmologist Eye MD
Member Comments (15)

by Srh6, Jul 23, 2007 12:00AM
Thanks for your answer, but if is just for cosmetic reasons is it possible to remove it?

by John C Hagan, Jul 24, 2007 12:00AM
Yes, most likely it can be removed but if its just for cometic reasons and done without your insurance carrier's approval you will pay all expenses yourself and when you add them all up it will be expensive.

JCH MD

by Kash88, Aug 14, 2007 12:24PM
To: John C Hagan
Is the surgery painful or could it possibly affect someone's vision?  

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Aug 14, 2007 07:48PM
Usually "no" and "no".

JCH III MD

by i4Ni, Aug 20, 2007 03:28PM
To: JCH III MD
I am 25 yers old and I just developed a black spot on my eye. I made an dr appoint,ent to have it checked out. I have read that this could be an early indication of MS. I do know that certain health conditions health are manifested in the eyes (i.e. blood shot can be high blood pressure, early signs of stroke) I would like to hear your comments on such diagnosis.

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Aug 20, 2007 06:09PM
Your information is TOTALLY off. Dark spots on the eye are not an indiation of multiple sclerosis. Most are simply collections of pigmented cells like moles or freckles on the skin.

JCH III MD

by Babyphatglow, Aug 28, 2007 10:07PM
To: JCH MD
I am 14 years old and since the time I left 2nd grade I believe I developed a brown spot on the white part of my eye. I'm unsure as to if it's dangerous or not, and also people always point it out. Like your answer to Srh6 is it just a "freckle" on my eye?

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Aug 28, 2007 10:32PM
The answer is the same:

Most likely the spot is a benign 'freckle' or 'nevus' of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane over the eyeball (sclera). See an ophthalmologist to evaluate it. If it's totally benign your insurance may not authorize the removal for what would be purely cosmetic reasons.

JCH MD Ophthalmologist Eye MD

by drealewis, Sep 03, 2007 05:18PM
To: JCH MD
What is the procedure for removing brown spots visible on the sclera?  Who do you recommend to perform this type of cosmetic operation?  How long, on average, is the recovery?

by SDR11173, Sep 03, 2007 07:01PM
And about how much will the surgery cost, since it is not usually covered by insurance?

by SDR11173, Sep 03, 2007 07:01PM
One more question, any negatives to this surgery?

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Sep 03, 2007 09:46PM
1. Only an ophthalmologist (Eye MD) can do this surgery.
2. Only an ophthalmologist can determine if it needs to be removed for diagnostic reasons.
3. The recovery is usually nill which means you're back at work doing what you want to do the next day. Drops likely 3-4 times/day for 7-10 days. Maybe no swimming but things like running, golf, manual labor okay.
4. The cost will vary depending on the size, location and technique necessary to remove it.
5. Any surgery has negatives: cost, risks of infection, bleeding, scar formation, reoccurence. Risks are usually small but SURGER IS NEVER WITHOUT RISKS. (Many people prefer to think the "common" surgery is risk free. Never has been, never will be.

JCH III MD

by drealewis, Sep 03, 2007 10:09PM
To: JCH MD
Thank you for replying to my questions so soon.  To clarify my questions, could you recommend particular ophthalmologists (ATL, NYC, or LA) who are able to perform the procedures and what happens during the operation to whiten the eyes?

by Nat1442, Sep 13, 2007 09:27PM
To: John C Hagan III, MD, FACS
What if the spots has raised areas, similar to small bubbles?

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Sep 13, 2007 10:04PM
If the areas are "bubbles" then they may be subconjunctival cysts, when are easily and painlessly drained in the office but, like crabgrass, have a tendency to reoccur.

You can find an opthalmologist by going to the website of the American Academy of Ophthalmology www.aao.org and using the Find An Eye MD feature to find an Academy ophthalmologist in any of these cities.

JCH III MD