- Main causes of white spot on the eye
- 1. Retinoblastoma
- 2. Cataract
- 3. Toxocariasis
- 4. Hyperplastic persistence of the primitive vitreous
- When to go to the doctor
The white spot on the eye, also called leukocoria, appears more frequently in the pupil and can be indicative of serious diseases such as retinoblastoma or congenital cataract.
The causes of white spot on the eye can be identified right at birth through the eye test, which is a test performed in the maternity ward provided by SUS. Understand how the eye test is done.
Main causes of white spot on the eye
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 a 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.
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 on the spot 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 because of the aging of the lens of the eye. However, it can also happen right after birth, being called congenital cataract, which is characterized by malformation of the lens during the development of the fetus, reaching one or both eyes. Understand more about cataracts and congenital cataracts.
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. Treatment should be done as soon as possible so that there is no more serious evolution, such as total loss of vision, and it is usually done through surgery to replace the lens. See how cataract surgery is done.
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, pain or itching in the eye, decreased vision and white spots on the pupil.
Ocular toxocariasis is more common in children who play on the ground, sand or on the ground, as it is usually the habitat of Toxocara. Learn more about toxocariasis.
4. Hyperplastic persistence of the primitive vitreous
Hyperplastic persistence of the primitive vitreous, also called fetal vascularization, is a rare malformation of the baby's eyes that leads to the formation of a white membrane inside the eye. This disease has no genetic character and is more common in premature babies.
Depending on the extent of the disease, there may be some complications, such as difficulty seeing, glaucoma and strabismus, for example. See how to identify fetal vascularization and how treatment is performed.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to go to the ophthalmologist when the following changes are noticed:
- 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 tests, the ophthalmologist can make the diagnosis and establish the most appropriate treatment for each situation.
