What does leukocoria mean?

What does leukocoria mean?

What does leukocoria mean?

Definition and Terminology: Leukocoria (also spelled leukocoria or leukocoria) or “white pupil” originates from the Greek word “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 (1).

What causes leukocoria?

Leukocoria can be caused by abnormalities in the lens (eg, cataract), vitreous (eg, hemorrhage), or retina (eg, retinoblastoma) (table 1) [1,2]. It can be the initial manifestation of a wide spectrum of intraocular and systemic disease processes [3-7].

Does strabismus cause leukocoria?

Leukocoria results from a complete pupillary membrane, cataract, fibrovascular sheath attached to the posterior lens capsule, strabismus, and a rarely cloudy cornea due to glaucoma.

What does a white reflex mean?

Leukocoria (also white pupillary reflex) is an abnormal white reflection from the retina of the eye. Leukocoria resembles eyeshine, but leukocoria can also occur in animals that lack eyeshine because their retina lacks a tapetum lucidum.

How do you test for leukocoria?

Sometimes leukocoria is detected from photographs using a flash when one pupil has an abnormal or “white reflex” compared to the other eye having a normal “red reflex.” Lastly, a routine pediatrician exam can catch leukocoria, specifically when they look into the eyes with an ophthalmoscope.

Can leukocoria be normal?

This is known as photoleukocoria and it is normal. Batra et al13 described seven children referred due to unilateral leukocoria detected in amateur photographs. Each child had a normal ocular examination.

Is leukocoria an emergency?

The detection of leukocoria in a pediatric patient is therefore considered an ocular emergency that requires urgent evaluation by an ophthalmologist. Usually it is the parents who are the first to notice the strange appearance of their child’s eye.

What things should you consider if an infant has leukocoria?

Parents also must be counseled on leukocoria and should be instructed to look for a missing red reflex in photographs in one or both eyes when the child is looking at the camera. Leukocoria or a white pupillary reflex is anominous finding in infants.

Why do dog eyes glow?

Dogs have a nictitating membrane which is a thin whitish-pink tissue that acts as a third eyelid and protects the eye. The tapetum lucidum is a reflective lining behind the retina; this lining is what makes dogs’ eyes glow eerily when light hits them.

What are the causes of leukocoria in children?

There are many causes of leukocoria in children ( table 1 ); the differential diagnosis can be narrowed through a complete clinical and family history and thorough ophthalmic examination. An overview of the causes of leukocoria in children and an approach to the diagnostic evaluation are presented here.

How can a doctor tell if you have leukocoria?

Sometimes leukocoria is detected from photographs using a flash when one pupil has an abnormal or “white reflex” compared to the other eye having a normal “red reflex.” Lastly, a routine pediatrician exam can catch leukocoria, specifically when they look into the eyes with an ophthalmoscope.

How are eye drops used to treat leukocoria?

Ophthalmologists utilize an ophthalmoscope to directly visualize the interior of the eye. Dilating eye drops are generally used to enlarge the pupil which enables a more thorough examination. WHAT CONDITIONS CAUSE LEUKOCORIA?

Which is an example of leukocoria in the eye?

An example is a camera in which the flash is mounted very close to the lens resulting in photographs with red pupillary reflexes. The red reflex is either absent or white with leukocoria. This occurs as a result of abnormal reflection of light coming out of the eye.