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Pupil - white spots - Overview

Alternative Names

Leukocoria

Definition of Pupil - white spots:

White spots in the pupil is a condition that causes the pupil of the eye to look white instead of black.

Considerations:

The pupil of the human eye is normally black. In flash photographs the pupil may appear red, an effect called "red eye." This is also called the "red reflex" by health care providers, and is entirely normal.

On occasion, the pupil of the eye may appear white. This is never a normal condition and needs to be seen right away by an eye care provider.

There are many different causes of white pupil. Other conditions also can mimic white pupil. A cloudy cornea (usually, the clear part of the eye) may look similar to a white pupil. The causes of a cloudy or white cornea are different from those of a white pupil, but are also significant and need immediate attention.

Cataracts may also cause the pupil to appear white.

Common Causes:

  • Reviewed last on: 2/7/2010
  • Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Fay A. Disease of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 449.

Guercio JR, Martyn LJ. Congenital malformations of the eye orbit. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007;40:113-140.

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