Is This Spot a Sign of Cancer?
Approximately a week or so ago, I became aware of a brown mark in my eye. After snapping a photo of it, I mentioned it during my annual health check-up. My doctor recommended that I consult an eye specialist. Upon doing so, I pointed out that I believed the spot had darkened a bit since I first noticed it. The eye doctor didn't seem overly worried, diagnosing it as melanosis and suggesting we keep an eye on it, emphasizing that cancer in this scenario is exceedingly rare. However, I’ve become increasingly anxious about this because, for several reasons, it appears to be changing at a rather quick pace. First, it only just appeared (I easily notice it while applying mascara, so I’m sure it wasn't there before). Secondly, the shape appears quite irregular. Lastly, there are peculiar blood vessels that seem much more prominent than the typical ones in my eye. I've documented its progress with two photos: the first one was taken on August 5th, which, I admit, isn't the clearest image. The other two were captured on the 11th and today, the 13th, in the same lighting conditions. One image focuses on the spot itself, while the other highlights the odd, twisting blood vessels. As for my background, I am a 31-year-old Caucasian female living in Chicago, standing at 5'7" and weighing 145 pounds. I rarely drink alcohol—just the occasional cocktail—and I do not smoke or use any illicit substances. I suffer from chronic migraines and Hashimoto's disease, and I generally maintain low blood pressure. I am also exploring possible dysautonomia and currently take medications such as levothyroxine, Topamax, and Quillivant.
Answers (1)
8/13/2025, 8:11:02 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to feel anxious about a new spot in your eye, especially when you've noticed changes in it. Your doctor’s initial assessment of melanosis—essentially a benign pigmentation—can sometimes be concerning if it changes rapidly or presents irregular features. While the risk of cancer is generally low, especially given your ophthalmologist's reassurance, it’s important to keep monitoring the situation closely.
Explanation
Melanosis can occur for various harmless reasons, but significant changes such as darkening, irregular shape, and prominent blood vessels warrant careful observation. These changes can sometimes be benign but should be documented and discussed regularly with your eye specialist.
Next Steps
-
Document Changes: Continue taking clear, regular photos of the spot and the surrounding area to monitor any further changes. Note the size, color, and shape over time. Your existing images are a great start.
-
Follow-Up Appointment: Schedule a follow-up appointment with the eye specialist sooner than your next routine check-up, especially if you notice further changes in the appearance of the spot or if it becomes bothersome.
-
Prepare for Your Visit: Before your appointment, write down any questions or concerns you have, particularly regarding the irregular shape and blood vessels. This will help ensure you get comprehensive information during your consultation.
-
Limit Eye Strain: Given your chronic migraines, engage in practices to minimize eye strain, such as adjusting lighting conditions while applying makeup and taking regular breaks from screens.
-
Stay Informed: Educate yourself on the types of conditions that can affect ocular health, but try not to let research exacerbate anxiety. Reliable resources include the American Academy of Ophthalmology or the National Eye Institute.
Remember, being proactive and aware of your health is essential. Keeping communication open with your healthcare providers and continuing to monitor changes is the best approach. You’re doing the right thing by seeking help and staying informed.
Related Questions
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.
Experiencing Heart Palpitations Following Chest Impact
I'm a 17-year-old female who has struggled with tachycardia for several years, having been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) about five years ago, although I haven't pursued further testing because I haven't completely lost consciousness. Recently, over the past month or two, I've started to experience sensations of my heart skipping beats, accompanied by difficulty in breathing during these episodes. These occurrences have become significantly more frequent, even when I'm at rest. Five years ago, I underwent a Holter monitor test, which indicated primarily tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), but nothing alarming was found. In early December, I was struck hard in the chest by an elbow while in a mosh pit, which resulted in some pain when taking deep breaths for a few days. My sternum became bruised and slightly swollen, and it remained tender to touch for about two weeks, but this discomfort was manageable. I still feel some soreness when stretching, although it’s not severe. Additionally, I have diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS), and I am currently on immunosuppressants. Given these circumstances, would it be advisable for me to seek medical evaluation, or could these symptoms be considered typical?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?
Understanding My Experiences with Dissociation and Physical Symptoms
Hello everyone! I'm 15 years old and I’ve been grappling with intense feelings of dissociation recently. About two years back, I experienced what I now refer to as a "silent seizure" for the first time. It happened around 2 PM while I was at school in the band hall. Suddenly, I found myself zoning out completely; I was just sitting there, disassociated from reality, until it dawned on me that I couldn’t seem to reconnect with my surroundings. Feeling lost, I turned to a friend and anxiously asked, "Where am I?" She chuckled, unaware of the seriousness of my situation, but I stood up and wandered out of the classroom, aimlessly walking towards the bathrooms. The sensation was akin to being in a dream—you know you’re somewhere, yet you can’t fully engage with the moment for what felt like 5 to 10 minutes. Strangely, I even had the feeling of observing myself from above as I moved through the halls, like a scene from a dream. In a state of panic, I contacted my mom. By the time I managed to leave school, my mind was clearing. She took me to her workplace where a colleague checked my blood sugar levels, revealing it was low. I had eaten that day, so this was unexpected (especially since my mother also faces issues with low blood sugar). This occurrence was unprecedented for me; thankfully, I haven’t faced such low levels since then. In the following weeks, I experienced intermittent dissociative episodes, prompting me to visit a doctor. I underwent blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a routine examination. Everything appeared normal, except I was diagnosed with anemia—something my mother and sister also deal with. I walked away from that appointment without any real explanations, and after a while, the episodes subsided—thankfully, a relief. FAST FORWARD TO NOW: (15 years old) (Potentially relevant context) Recently, I’ve been enduring severe heart and chest discomfort. I’ve been noticing irregular heartbeats, sporadic strong pulsations, and sharp pain localized in my heart region and upper right chest. Lying on my side can be quite painful, and sometimes I struggle to take deep breaths. I make it a priority to get a full eight hours of sleep each night, I take daily vitamins, and I’m actively involved in competitive cheerleading, maintaining a healthy fitness level for my height and weight. We sought medical advice again, underwent numerous tests, and, once more, everything checked out fine. My heart was deemed healthy, and all other measurements were satisfactory. Initially, we suspected anxiety might be a factor, but my mom is hesitant to consider antidepressants, believing that my age may limit treatment options. She has recommended that I hydrate more and practice breathing exercises (which is somewhat ironic since I struggle to breathe when these pains occur, yet I don’t argue). UPDATE: During practice today, I unexpectedly experienced my first "silent seizure" episode in two years. It was more disconcerting than I recalled. I lost track of my location again and couldn’t re-engage with reality. It felt as if I was observing those around me from a dream-like vantage point. This realization frightened me, thinking that I had moved past these episodes. It took about ten minutes for me to regain my awareness of my environment. Additionally, this week, I noticed moments of dissociation, albeit not as intense as previous episodes. I found myself vacantly staring, and my vision felt oddly lazy, frequently. It's worth noting that I do not have a lazy eye. I plan to document these occurrences meticulously, and if they persist, I will consult my doctor again. Meanwhile, if anyone has suggestions about what might be happening to me, I would greatly appreciate it. Is this potentially linked to anxiety? I’m genuinely confused about my condition!
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.