If you have a brown spot in your eye, you may wonder what is the brown spot in my eye and why. They are usually harmless, though they can be a sign of a serious condition or cancer.
The white portion of the eye (sclera) is a protective layer that covers more than 80% of your eyeball. It's normally white, but sometimes it can turn yellow or other discolored colors.
Blue Sclera: People with certain health conditions, like osteogenesis imperfecta (a genetic bone disease) and Marfan syndrome (an inherited disorder in the connective tissue of the body), have a blue sclera. These conditions can also lead to jaundice, which means the liver isn't filtering blood properly.
Excessive Pigment in the Iris: There is a condition called pigment dispersion syndrome, or PDS, which causes bits of color to rub off the back of your iris and float around the eye. This can clog the drainage system of your eye, which can lead to pressure problems and glaucoma.
Foreign Object in the Eye: Some people have eyeball spots or other changes because of a foreign object that has penetrated the eye. A doctor can flush out the object with saline and then cover the eye with a patch.
The most common cause of brown spots in the eyes is a nevus, which is a group of cells that clump together later in life. They are usually benign, but they can be the first signs of ocular melanoma. Regular examinations are key to catching these growths early and treating them before they become serious.
