all i know is it is harmless... and its a genetic spot... its really cool though it could identify a childs parents... have you and your daughters father (i use lack of the term husband or partner for i don't know your situation) check both your eyes for the same spot... it could be in a different place but it definately is genetic... i know this because i am also a carrier of the gene... i have it in my lower left quadrant of my right eye.... its is completely harmless and goes unnoticed... i didn't realize it till i was 18 and i'm 21 now...
Kathryn Hodges, MD writes:
Freckles on the iris (the colored part of your eye) typically appear after age six. The majority of adults have iris freckles although many may be too small to be seen with the naked eye.
The technical term for a freckle is a nevus (plural, nevi). Iris nevi vary in shape, size and color, and are typically benign for a lifetime. However, researchers believe that some iris nevi (less than 5%) are melanomas (cancerous tumors).
Iris melanomas are typically slow to develop and rarely metastasize beyond the iris. Just as a dermatologist will monitor skin nevi for changes, your eye doctor will monitor an iris nevus for changes in size or presentation. This monitoring is typically documented in writing, although some doctors may take a series of photos for more suspicious nevi. Because iris melanomas pose so little risk, doctors will monitor 75% to 90% of changing iris nevi without any intervention.
An ophthalmologist will typically intervene if the nevus grows to at least three millimeters, spreads to the edge of the iris or pupil, or causes secondary cataracts or glaucoma. The surgeon will usually remove the nevus, although radioactive plaque therapy is possible for aggressive tumors.
Less than 1% of all iris nevi require medical intervention, so an iris freckle should not cause much concern. However, iris nevi are just one more reason why regular, dilated eye exams are important.
Kathryn Hodges, MD