Mole on retine(retina)

I was made to go and see the optician by my mum after she saw white eye, on one of my photo's (I'm 28) The optician said, I had a small mole on my retina and also astigmatism (never diagnosed before, despite many vision tests!)! Long story short, I ended up seeing the hospital optician, who said, I had a raised, crescent shaped mole on my retina! He's now referred me to a retinal specialist, and have to admit, this is making me quite uneasy, especially with the white eye showing on the photograph. Is there much chance of it being something sinister?

I have noticed visual changes in the last year, I'm not sure, if it has anything to do the mole though, I wasn't told! But I find my peripheral vision in the same eye declining. I only really notice it, when I'm putting make-up on and I have to shut my eye to do my eye make-up, I find I can't see as far round, as I can with my eye that's okay. Would that have anything to do with the mole?

I have the appointment with the specialist in 3 weeks time!! My last appointment was 3 weeks ago, so I take it, they are waiting to see if it grows?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No they are not waiting to see if it grows.  It probably reflects the overworked sometimes overwhelmed state of most countries medical systems.

Most of these moles are like moles on the skin that is non-malignant. They are usually choroidal nevi

a very small percentage are malignant melanomas. Modern testing especially OCT can tell malignant tumors from benign growths.

JCH MD

[ruchi900]

respectd sir... my husband is suffering domeclar degenration... is there any solution of this problem. the eye site become low day by day ...
        reply me  
            thanx

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and archives and read about what can be done for ARMD. Go to Dr. Hagan's blog and read the macular degeneration treatment posting.]
JCHMD

[JenTruman]

I went to have a mole on my retina checked a few weeks ago and found that my vision had gotten worse and the mole is a tiny bit thicker.  I go back in 2 months to have it checked.  Even if it is getting bigger, could it still just be a mole and not necessarily cancer?  I'm 33.  Thank you.

Jen

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes it likely is benign. You need to discuss at length with your ophthalmologist. Based on size, elevation, border regularity, pigment pattern, presence of drusen or fluid, OCT and Ultrasound pattern your ophthalmologist should be able to give you reassurances that the chance of a melanoma is very small.

JCH MD

[loucar]

Thank you so much for your reply!! I went to the specialist, who examined me in closer detail, and he said, it wasn't a mole, but a fold where the muscle is connected to the eye, and told me not to worry.... again, this is something that is new and has never been noticed before, is it possible, that this is a new thing, or something, that has just been missed in the past, like the Astigmatism? And what is a fold in the retina?

Thank you so much for your time!!

Louise.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

That's great news stop worrying. A fold in the retina is not an exact term. If you need more clarification call the ophthalmologist's office and ask your question. Good news.
JCH MD