Pupil - white spots

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Eye

White pupil

White spots in the pupil

This condition causes the pupil of the eye to look white instead of black.

Leukocoria

The 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 requires immediate evaluation by trained specialists (ophthalmologists, "eye doctors," not optometrists who generally prescribe lenses or glasses).

There are many different causes for white pupil, which are described below. Other conditions can also mimic white pupil. A cloudy cornea (usually, the clear part of the eye) may produce an appearance 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 require immediate attention.

Cataracts may also cause the pupil to appear white.

• Retinoblastoma
• Congenital cataract - may be hereditary or may result from other conditions, including congenital rubella , galactosemia , retrolental fibroplasia (retinopathy of prematurity)
• Intraocular infections - infections within the eyes)
• Persistent primary hyperplastic vitreous
• Coats' disease - exudative retinopathy

Review Date: 05/18/2006
Reviewed By: Paul B. Griggs, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.