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The white spot on the eye, also called leukocoria, appears more frequently in the pupil and may be indicative of diseases such as retinoblastoma, cataracts or corneal dystrophy, for example.
The white spots can be indicative of diseases in the fundus, in the lens or in the cornea and the main causes of the appearance of the spots are:
1. Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a rare type of cancer that can happen in one or both eyes and occurs more frequently in children. This disease can be easily identified through the eye test while in the maternity ward or at the first consultation with the pediatrician, and its main symptoms are difficulty in seeing, redness in the eye and strabismus, in addition to the presence of a white spot on the eye.
What to do: When identified early, retinoblastoma can be treated and leaves no sequelae. Treatment varies according to the degree of the disease, and can be performed with a laser or application of cold in the place to destroy the tumor, or chemotherapy in the most severe cases. Learn how to identify and treat retinoblastoma.
2. Cataract
Cataract is a disease characterized by progressive loss of vision, being more common in people over 60 years of age, due to the aging of the lens of the eye. However, it can also happen right at birth, being called congenital cataract, which is characterized by malformation of the lens during the development of the fetus, reaching one or both eyes.
The characteristic sign of a cataract is the presence of a white spot on the pupil that can impair vision, leaving it blurred, or even leading to total loss.
What to do: Treatment should be done as soon as possible so that complications do not occur, such as total loss of vision. It is usually done through surgery to replace the lens. See what cataract surgery is like.
3. Toxocariasis
Toxocariasis is an infectious disease caused by the presence of the parasite Toxocara sp. This parasite, when it reaches the eye, can cause redness and white spots in the pupil, pain or itching in the eye and decreased vision. Ocular toxocariasis is more common in children who play on the ground, sand or on the ground, as it is usually the habitat of the Toxocara. Learn more about toxocariasis.
What to do: Treatment usually consists of using eye drops with corticosteroids to treat symptoms and prevent disease progression.
4. Pinguécula
The pinguecula consists of a whitish yellow spot on the eye, of a triangular shape, which results from the growth of a tissue composed of proteins, fat and calcium, located in the conjunctiva of the eye, being more common in the elderly.
What to do: In most cases, it is not necessary to undergo treatment, however, if the person feels discomfort or changes in vision, it may be necessary to use eye drops and eye ointments or even resort to surgery.
5. Corneal ulcer
Corneal ulcer is characterized by a sore that appears on the cornea of the eye and causes inflammation, pain, a foreign body sensation in the eye, blurred vision and, in some cases, the presence of a small whitish spot in the eye. It is usually caused by an infection in the eye, minor cuts, dry eye or contact with irritants.
What to do: Treatment usually consists of administration of topical antibiotics or antifungals to eliminate a possible infection by bacteria or fungi. In addition, corticosteroid eye drops can also be used to decrease inflammation, prevent the appearance of scars on the cornea, and relieve discomfort. Learn more about treatment.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to go to the ophthalmologist in the presence of the following changes:
- Eye discomfort;
- Difficulty seeing;
- Blurred vision;
- Night blindness;
- Presence of eye stains;
- Pain or itching in the eye.
Through the analysis and evaluation of symptoms and other complementary exams, the ophthalmologist can make the diagnosis and establish the most appropriate treatment for each situation.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. Pterygium and Pinguecula. 2010. Available at:. Accessed on 07 Feb 2019