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Aug 24, 2022 · 4 min read. Leukocoria means "white pupil." It describes a condition where the pupil of the eye is white rather than black. It is more common in children but can occur in adults as well. Many...
Nov 21, 2023 · Leukocoria is when the reflected light in the pupil of your eye appears white, gray, silvery or yellow instead of red. The name of this symptom comes from Greek and means “white pupil.” It’s also sometimes called “cat’s eye pupil.” Leukocoria may signal a serious problem within your eye.
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- A Word from Verywell
Normally, light in the eye travels through the pupil and is mostly absorbed by the retina, the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye. But a small amount is reflected back out through the pupil. This is known as a red reflex for the reddish-orange color reflected. This may often be caught by flash photography and referred to as red eye. In case...
An off-color pupil can occur for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the conditions that can cause leukocoria: 1. Retinoblastoma(tumor): This may account for about half of U.S. leukocoria cases and is considered the most common eye malignancy (cancer) in children. 2. Cataract(clouding of the lens of the eye): In congenital (present at birth) cas...
Leukocoria is commonly screened for during well-child visits. To do this, the healthcare provider will use what's known as an ophthalmoscope to view the inside of the eye. If leukocoria is identified, the healthcare provider will refer the child to an ophthalmologist to determine specifically what may be causing it. The practitioner will take an in...
For cases of leukocoria, after the diagnosis is made, it is important to begin treatment promptly. However, there is not one universal treatment here. The approach taken is linked to whatever the underlying cause of the leukocoria appears to be. For instance, if a cataract seems to be causing the discolored pupil, it needs to be removed. If a tumor...
Cases of leukocoria involve a white or other abnormally colored pupil instead of a black one. This often is spotted by a family member noticing an unusual white area in one or both eyes of a child, possibly in a photograph. This should be immediately reported to your healthcare provider, who will need to check for a variety of conditions that are a...
If leukocoria is detected in your child's eye, keep in mind that there can be a variety of reasons for this. While all of them should be taken seriously from the start, some cases may easily be remedied and won't necessarily jeopardize your child's vision. But do promptly bring this to your practitioner's attention so that all possibilities can be ...
Jan 8, 2024 · Leukocoria, meaning “white pupil,” originates from the Greek words “leukos” (white) and “kore” (pupil). It refers to the reflection of white light seen upon direct illumination of the fundus through the pupil, in contrast to the usual red glow.
If you’re scrolling through your child’s photos and notice white pupils, it could be a trick in the photo. But it may also be a symptom called leukocoria (white-eye reflex). What is leukocoria? Leukocoria occurs when the pupil (the black part of the eye) appears white instead of black.
A white pupil is a condition that causes the pupil of the eye to look white instead of black. The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer or tunic (sclera, or white, and cornea) is fibrous and protective.
Fig. 1: Leukocoria occurs when the pupil is white rather than the usual black. HOW IS LEUKOCORIA DETECTED? In more obvious cases a white pupil may be detected simply by looking at a child’s eye in good lighting.
