What are Eye Lesions?

Eye lesions are abnormal tissues on the eye, most often developed due to eye trauma or as a symptom of a health problem. Common symptoms of eye lesions include dry or red eyes, pain, and blurry vision that is not improved by up-to-date corrective lenses. Eye lesions are typically not visible without having a professional optometrist or ophthalmologist dilate the eye, but lesions can gradually grow in size, becoming more noticeable, irritating, and blinding. Some eye lesions possess cancerous qualities, but most are benign in nature.

A common type of lesion is called a pinguecula, and it can appear on anyone, especially those who experience excessive sun exposure. This type of lesion develops in the form of small bumps that have a noticeable yellow tint. They are benign and grow on the white part of the eye. Wearing sunglasses coated with ultraviolet (UV) protection can decrease the odds of developing a pinguecula. These lesions are not usually corrected through surgery unless they are severely irritating or interfere with blinking.

One or more lesions can result from severe trauma to the eye as well, such as penetration by a sharp object. A lesion, however, can also result from even minor trauma such as being hit by a fast-moving ball during sports practice or having a car’s airbag deploy near the face. In all scenarios, it is advisable to see a doctor to assess the damage and determine what should be done, if anything.

Lesions can also appear as a symptom of a serious disease or health disorder. For example, iris melanoma is cancer of the eye that develops from an existing mole or freckle. Eye freckles and eye moles are very common and nearly always are benign in nature, but they can become cancerous over time. If not detected early, cancerous lesions can impair vision when they develop externally or cut off the blood supply to the eyes if they form within a vein. Other diseases and health problems that can result in lesions include diabetes, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and parasites.

The exact cause of a lesion might not be immediately apparent due to its many and varied potential causes. Lesions are best detected early by a visit to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for the best outcome. Regular visits to an eye doctor can help ensure the detection, tracking, and if necessary, treatment of an eye lesion before it causes irreversible damage.