Pupil - white spots Health Article

Definition

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

Alternative Names

Leukocoria

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

• Coats' disease - exudative retinopathy
• Coloboma
• Congenital cataract (may be hereditary or may result from other conditions, including congenital rubella, galactosemia, retrolental fibroplasia)
• Persistent primary hyperplastic vitreous
• Retinoblastoma
• Toxocara canis (infection caused by a parasite)
• Uveitis

Home Care

If you see a white pupil, make an appointment with your health care provider right away. Pediatricians routinely screen for a white pupil in children. If a child develops a white pupil or cloudy cornea, immediate attention is needed, preferably from an ophthalmologist.

Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if you notice any color changes in the pupil or cornea of the eye.