Black Spot in Optic Nerve

Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive

Question:
My 12-year-old son was told by an eye doctor that he has a black spot in his optic nerve. She wants him to go to a specialist. What could this be?  

Answer:
A black spot on the optic nerve could be simply pigment, or commonly it could be a type of benign tumor called a melanocytoma. Other possibilities include a retinal pigment epithelial adenoma, metastatic tumors, or malignant choroidal melanoma.

Answered by: Abdhish Bhavsar, MD  

Categories: Eye Conditions, Children's Eye Health

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