Should I be worried by what the optician said?

[Happylife123x]

Hi everyone,

I have been getting very frequent painful headaches. Spoke to the GP who said go for an eye test and take some migraine medication. I went to the opticians today they took a scan of the back of my eye and said all healthy no swollen nerves etc. but I have some 'pigment' by my optic disk on my right eye. I asked what this was and the optician said its just similar to a freckle. I've googled it but haven't found much.

I'm wondering if anyone knows much about this?

If there was a problem they would have referred you on or asked you to come back for a check up.
Why don’t you ring them and have another chat to put your mind at rest.

I am assuming she is referring to a melanocytoma. These are really common. It's a small area of "dark shading" - think literally like a freckle on the eye. Like freckles they can very, very, very grow in size which can cause some loss of field of vision, and even more rarely, they can cause loss of vision. Do not worry. They will keep an eye on it to ensure that it doesn't worsen, but if it does - and I can't emphasise enough that it probably won't - it would usually take a very long time. I have had shadowing on my lens that is indicative of potential cataracts. It is checked every year and over ten years it hasn't got any worse. If the optician says there is nothing to worry about, then there really isn't.

I had this at an eye test about a month ago, she said it's basically a freckle and just make sure to wear good quality sunglasses in the sun. They note it to keep an eye on it.

Could also be Lisch nodules. Did the optician say anything about shape? It this pigment was flat or dome shaped?
Do you have freckles in your armpit or groin, or some milky coffee coloured birthmark ?

@cormoran I don’t think they would be Loach nodules if they are by the optic disc
OP - don’t worry. Pigment is common inside the eye. If it is a ‘naevus’ (like a freckle) it’s like any other freckle on your skin - only concerning if it changes. Make sure you keep going for your eye tests when they are due, ideally have photos taken too if your optician has a camera - easier to monitor change this way.

*Lisch nodules. Damn autocorrect

I have this. Also have migraines and visual disturbances.
I was referred to eye hospital for photos to be taken so they could monitor if it got bigger

Hi, any update on this. The optician found what he described as a 'birthmark' at the back of my eye. It showed up on my scans.
He referred me on routinely, but they called me 1 day later (today) and offered me an urgent appointment tomorrow!
So I am freaking out!
I would be interested in hearing the outcome of yours?