“How do pigmentation and a nevus differ?”
My eye doctor just told me that I have a nevus, which I don't understand. What is the difference between having a 'nevus' in your eye and pigmentation?
3 Answers
Pigmentation is a generic term which indicates normal or unnatural deposition of pigment on or in some part of the body. It conveys no information about the normality of the pigmentation, whether it is a risk, or anything else. Tattoos are a form of pigmentation. A nevus is a growth which most commonly is pigmented - usually in the brownish spectrum. What you have most likely is a nevus of the choroid which is the tissue underlying the retina in the back of the eye. Some call these a freckle as they are very similar to freckles or moles on the skin. They are almost always benign although most ophthalmologists will look at them once every year or so to see if they change in any way. They do not affect the health or vision of the eye. If your eye doctor took a picture of this, ask for a copy which you can show to anyone in the future who might look at your eye for changes.
The Nevis is basically a pigmented mole. Pigmentation is a generic term for dark flecks in the pigmented epithelium of the retina. They can be more like freckles or scars. Nevi are often slightly elevated. You can also have non-pigmented nevi which are colorless moles
A nevus is a column of pigmented cells. Pigmentation per se can occur over a wider area.
