Eye naevus (eye freckle) treatment

Laser removal from only £1,900 per eye

Surgical removal from £2,450 per eye

Eye freckles are usually harmless and don’t affect your vision. However, if your ophthalmologist suspects there may be impacts to your eye’s health due to issues with the freckle or you want to get rid of it due to its appearance – it can be removed.

Assessment for treatment

Eye naevus are typically painless and won’t impact your vision. They don’t usually require immediate treatment. Your ophthalmologist can monitor your freckle(s) over time to assess any notable changes.

During this assessment, the front of your eye will be examined using an instrument called a slit lamp. This will allow us to see the freckle under bright light and high magnification. We will take pictures each time we assess your eye to compare and spot any signs of potential changes with the naevi.

We monitor your eye naevus because, in a small number of cases, the freckle can develop into melanoma. If this is the case, immediate treatment will be necessary to remove the cancer.

Naevi can also be removed for cosmetic purposes if deemed undesirable. Treatment will vary depending on the size of the freckle.

Treatment options

If we agree it’s necessary for them to be removed or you would like to remove your eye freckle(s) for cosmetic purposes, there are a few treatment options available.

At Oculase, we offer laser removal treatment and surgical excision (removal) to help remove eye freckles.

Laser removal treatment

Laser removal treatment is recommended to help remove small eye freckles. This minimally invasive process uses a fine, intense beam of light to destroy the pigmentated cells of the naevus in the eye. The destroyed cells are then wiped away from the eye. The laser treatment has little effect on the surrounding tissue and structures of the eye.

The procedure takes around 30 minutes to complete. Once completed, we will recommend the use of steroid and antibiotic drops (which we will provide to you after the procedure) for 1-2 weeks. This is to reduce any inflammation and prevent any infection after treatment.

In very rare cases, the eye naevus may be too deep for laser treatment, and surgical excision may be more desirable.

At Oculase, we will assess which treatment will be appropriate for your condition in our initial consultation.

Surgical excision

Surgical removal of eye freckles is typically recommended for large naevi or potentially cancerous lesions detected in the eye.

The process usually involves marking the area and making a local incision to remove the freckle. The treated area can be closed directly with dissolvable stitches, fibrin tissue glue, or laser cautery.

Like with laser treatment, during recovery, it is advised to use steroid and antibiotic drops for 1-2 weeks to prevent infection and irritation whilst healing.

If melanoma is suspected, the removed tissue will be sent to be examined (histopathology) for signs of cancer. Some patients may require additional treatment alongside their primary treatment (adjunctive therapy) to prevent recurrence if a cancer is suspected or identified.

Costs

At Oculase, initial eye consultations for new patients start at £285. Prices for eye freckle treatment vary depending on the method used. However, at our clinic, laser treatment starts at £1,900 per eye, and surgical excision starts at £2,450 per eye. Surgical excisions may incur an additional cost if the removed tissue needs to be sent to histopathology.

To discuss how you can pay at Oculase or arrange a consultation appointment, contact us today.

Recovery

The length of recovery will depend on the depth and location of the naevus on the eye’s surface. It will typically take six to eight weeks for the redness and inflammation to resolve if the freckle is removed from the outermost layer of the white of the eye.

If dissolvable stitches were used, they may take some time to break down and disappear. Anti-inflammatory medications can help speed the recovery and assist with healing.

Scarring of the white of the eye tends to resolve over three to six months, but some left-over redness over the removal area may persist longer. This redness will also decrease or fade with time.

Is eye naevus treatment safe?

Performing surgical and laser treatment for eye freckles does carry some risks.

Rarely, some redness in the surgical area may persist long term after having the procedure. There is also a risk of permanent damage to your eye.

Your ophthalmologist will discuss the possible risks before your procedure and inform you of the likelihood of each, given your circumstances.

Private eye naevus treatment

Book your private eye naevus treatment now to improve your eye’s appearance and health. Our specialists are experienced in eye naevus procedures and pride themselves on the high quality of their work. They will help guide you through a safe and successful treatment journey.

Contact us if you are considering treatment, and we will address your questions, goals, and suitability in our initial consultation.