Dent at edge of iris?

[superdave22]

I looked in the mirror today and noticed what seemed to be a small glare at the edge of my iris, as if the cornea was slightly dented inwards. I looked around the internet and the only explanation I could find was eye trauma. However, I haven't done anything more than rubbed my eye a bit in the last little while, and I feel no pain (nor have I lately).

In the second picture below, there are whitish ghost lines in my iris. I think that just has to do with the camera flash/angle, there is actually no visible white fluid in there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Adam

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I cannot make an exact diagnosis but it appears to be a pinguecula with perhaps the early development of a pterygium. Use the search feature and read about these. Use Google IMAGES and search the two terms to see what they look like.

See an Eye MD ophthalmologist to get a diagnosis. Find one at www.aao.org

JCH MD

[superdave22]

Hi Dr. Hagan,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, I was away this weekend and I don't like turning on my computer (let alone thinking about it) while at the beach -- don't worry, I wore sunglasses!

The "dent" had actually disappeared by the evening, but I'm still going to go have my eyes checked out. I looked up both conditions and I seem to fit the symptoms for what you diagnosed. In any case, it may have just been irritation or trauma, but either way I will have it looked at.

I was at an opthalmologist a couple of months ago, he found nothing strange inside my eye (I was concerned about glaucoma). Most opthalmologists seem to always want to numb my eyes and go straight inside. Does that typical procedure include a check of the cornea and sclera? Should I specifically mention the conditions you spoke about, and do they still need to give me the drops?

Thanks again,

Adam

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

yes an external eye exam is part of the routine exam, when you put your chin on that instrument with a light (Slit lamp) that is used to check the surface of the exam.

Because your concern is on the surface and you have had a complete exam recently its not normally necessary to dilate the pupils again.

JCH MD

[sheli2283]

i have the same thing i believe. but it has never gone away for almost a year now  what should i do?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[am714]

i saw your post and picture from aug 2008 i had the same dent yesterday in the afternoon ..i looked again this morning and its gone ,just a little redness next to the small spot ...what was it ? did u go get it checked ? i cancelled my  appt since it was almost completely gone.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[caca436]

I have had the same problem and it has happened twice in 3 months. It comes on its own without having rubbed my eye or anything. The eye has an actual dent in it at the edge of the iris and slightly stings but feels better when I have my eye closed. It disappears the next day or two. Please help.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Fay2bellz]

I am happy to hear I am not alone in this. I too have had a dent on iris of each eye, lasts minutes to hrs. Anything from clorox wipes, oven on, cleaners, cooking, etc..makes my eyes act up with this. So annoying, scares me. I have seen 2 doctors and supposedly my eyes are healthy other than the conjunctivas appear swollen. I have dent days or sensitive to light days. Really interferes with my daily life, so heart-breaking.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Fay and 436 and super-dave: Neither one of you need put up with this indefinitely. I have reviewed the pictures again and you may have a 'dellen'  del·len (dĕl′ən)

Shallow excavations along the outer edge of the cornea that are caused by localized dehydration.

I would suggest you specifically find an Eye MD ophthalmologist that specializes in corneal diseases. If you live in US you can go to www.geteyesmart.org to find one near you. When you go in do not allow the technicians to put any drops in your eye till the Eye MD ophthalmologist corneal specialist sees you.
Dellen are small, saucer-like excavations at the margin of the cornea. They occur most often following processes which produce a paralimbal elevation. It is suggested that this paralimbal elevation induces a localized break in the precorneal oily film layer of the tears which, in turn, causes a localized dehydration and thinning of the cornea. Treatment is directed towards rehydration of the cornea and reduction of the limbal elevation.
This is from an article in JAMA Ophthalmology:

You may need to travel to a medical school department of ophthalmology. Treatments may include ruling out dry eyes, thyroid disease, underlying autoimmune disease etc.

Do not give up some where there is a corneal specialist Eye MD that can help all of you. Remember no drops at all till the eye MD looks at your eye.

JCH MD

[Fay2bellz]

Hi Dr. Hagan and thank you for replying. I would like to start off by saying you are obviously highly educated and knowledgeable indeed! Your diagnosis of Dellen makes perfect sense and fits my description vs. what other doctors told me. I was first diagnosed with chemosis and 2nd opinion was allergic conjunctivitis with mild conjunctival chalasis. Both Feb and now April I am on steroid/allergy drops. I am currently using them but this time different names.  Would this still help me if this is Dellen which I know it is now after much research and based on images? Also does Dellen affect the eyes if you choose to wear contact lenses every now and then? Please advise and thank you very kindly for your time.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I think wearing contacts is going to be a big problem as the contacts will rub on the area and likely lead to chronic redness and irritation. Also it is not good to use steroids and wear contacts as you increase the risk of an infected ulcer. Note that in this article that chemosis caused the dellen http://www.aao.org/publications/eyenet/200911/am_rounds.cfm?RenderForPrint=1&   Dellen are usually caused by dry eyes or something on the cornea that keeps the lid from lubricating them properly, focal dryness develops and the cornea is thinner than surrounding area.

JCH MD

[Miranda2002]

I am fourteen and have the same problem. I just looked into the mirror and noticed it, along with light but nagging irritation... I'm scared that it's serious

[JohnHaganMD]

This problem is rarely ever serious but to relieve yourself see an ophthalmologist or optometrist for some reassurance.

[JohnHaganMD]

Miranda: tell your parents. Make an appointment to see an ophthalmologist. It's not likely to be serious but a Eye MD exam is need to make a diaagnosis and prescribe treatment.   JCH MD

[BEKAHMC]

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN I AM SCARED ALSO I PRAY THAT IT'S NOT SERIOUS...IN I ALSO HAVE A YELLOWISH SPOT IN MY EYE DOES ANYONE NO WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT

[JohnHaganMD]

This problem is rarely ever serious but to relieve yourself see an ophthalmologist or optometrist for some reassurance.  The most common cause is sun damage to the white of the eye (pingueculum or pterygium)