If white spots are observed in a person’s eyes when viewing a photograph, this is a reason for going to an ophthalmologist. The lost red pupil reflex is a sure sign of the disease.
In a normal state, blood circulates in a certain way in the retina. That is why the pupils take on the usual shade of us all. However, if for some reason the blood flow is difficult, or neoplasms occur in the path of light, the eyes become whitish.
Coats Disease and Toxocariasis
Leukocoria (white eye effect) is one of the symptoms of abnormalities in the retinal vessels. This ailment is called Coats disease. It is characteristic that it is more common in men, but is often found in children. Usually one eye suffers, but there are cases when bilateral damage occurs.
Toxocariasis, a parasitic and very common childhood illness caused by helminth, also falls into the range of possible ailments. It usually occurs with poor hygiene, contact with waste products and hair from infected animals. Also, toxocara can enter the body through unwashed fruits, soil and dirty water. Intrauterine infection with this disease is very likely, as well as with breastfeeding. This is one of the answers to the question why a white pupil can be in a newborn baby.
Fundus tumor and tuberous sclerosis
With retinoblastoma in most cases, leukocoria also manifests itself. It can be detected when the tumor is in the center of the fundus, when it fills most of the space. This disease occurs in children aged two to five years. Often inherited.
Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disease characterized by the formation of benign tumors in various organs. This disease is often combined with retinal astrocytoma. In its tissues, a formation appears that undergoes calcification. White pupils of the eyes are a striking symptom of this pathology.
Lens opacification
Leukocoria can be caused by cataracts. This is an eye disease in which there is clouding of the lens. The white pupil in humans is often the result of denaturation of the protein that the vitreous body consists of. The occurrence of cataracts is due to various causes, such as trauma, old age, metabolic problems, ionizing radiation, endocrine diseases, diabetes mellitus, other infections and even Down's disease.
Cataracts are congenital and acquired, the difference between which is that the latter progresses over time. In this case, not only the pupil becomes white, but the onset of complete blindness is also possible.
The Importance of Correct Diagnosis
Prematurity of a newborn baby can trigger retinopathy, which results in retinal detachment. Naturally, when you react to light, the effect of the white eye will be very noticeable.
Leukocoria is dangerous in that it is a sign of many serious ailments. Incorrectly diagnosing the disease and prescribing the wrong treatment, you can come to the conclusion that the patient will completely lose his vision. If the symptom is caused by a malignant tumor, there is a danger of death. Correct diagnosis of diseases in the early stages allows you to count on a positive prognosis and effective treatment.
Surveys and analyzes
To do this, you need to know the age at which the disease was detected, whether there is a family hereditary disposition to these ailments, whether there was contact with animals.
The doctor must measure the diameter of the cornea, perform a complete ophthalmological examination, assess the condition of the retina and vitreous body (lens).
It will also be useful to conduct fluorescence angiography for the presence of Coats disease or retinoblastoma, to do a CT and MRI of the brain and eyes, take a blood test for toxocariasis, visit a pediatrician or therapist.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment is prescribed.
Possible treatment regimens
In Coats disease stage 1-2, laser retinal coagulation is used with the condition that the affected area is not more than 360 degrees. Also, in addition to this method, cryopexy of the eyes can be prescribed, and at later stages extracralral filling.
In the case of retinoblastoma, the treatment methods used depend on the severity of the disease. If there is a white pupil in both the right and left eye, then a treatment is developed separately for each. Laser and cryotherapy, enucleation and standard surgery are usually prescribed. In cases of spread of metastases throughout the body, general chemotherapy is used.
In the treatment of cataracts, the transfer of the disease, which provoked the development of the pathology (e.g., diabetes mellitus), into a state of remission is crucial. Although conservative methods do not allow you to completely get rid of an insidious disease, you can pause the process. For this, eye drops are used, such as Taurine, Vita-Iodurool, Perinoxin, Quinax. Also, complex therapy includes physiotherapy (electrophoresis and others). Only surgical intervention will help to completely get rid of cataracts, during which the extraction of what is left of the lens and the installation of a prosthesis - an intraocular lens - are carried out in its place.
Toxocariasis is treated with anthelmintic drugs. Steroids can be prescribed and applied depending on the inflammation both locally and by systemic parabulbar administration. If there are no visible improvements during treatment, and vision continues to fall, you should consider removing the vitreous. You can significantly reduce the risk of toxocara infection by conducting preventive anthelminthic procedures for your pets once a year in a veterinary clinic. You should also remember your own hygiene and do not forget to wash your hands.
The white pupil is a harmless, at first glance, symptom, which, however, may indicate a serious illness. If it is detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.