12 yr. old nevus on sclera surgery

[seattlemamma]

I just scheduled to have the nevus in my daughter's eye removed this August since it has grown in size.  The opthamologist said it looks benign but it was up to me whether to remove it or just keep watching it.  We first noticed the nevus when she was about 7 yrs. old and it was definitely smaller and lighter and over the years it has gotten more pronounced.  We only started seeing this opthamologist last year so she has not seen the full transition and we did not have a picture taken of her eye when we saw the previous doctor 5 yrs. ago.  Anyways, this doctor said that she will remove the nevus and than take a piece of the outer layer of her eye above her iris that is under the lid and therefore, protected from the sun, and graft this piece onto the side of her eye where she removed the nevus.  She will use glue and also a couple of stitches.  She says some surgeons only use glue or only stitches but, she likes to use a couple of stitches along with the glue.  My daughter will be completely under but she is in perfect health except for seasonal allergies to grass and weeds.  What should be my main concerns with all this and is this the best/most common way of removing the nevus.  Thanks for all your help.

[seattlemamma]

I am in Seattle.  Do you recommend someone in Seattle.  Our doctor works for the Seattle Children's Hospital.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Please get a second opinion for Bruce Shields at Wills.

Dr. O.