EyeRounds Online Atlas of Ophthalmology

Contributor:
William Charles Caccamise Sr,MD, Retired Clinical Asst Prof of Ophthal. U.of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry

Category: Systemic Disorders
Diagnosis: Vitamin A deficiency with xerosis conjunctivae and a nasal Bitot's spot

Vitamin A deficiency with xerosis conjunctivae and a nasal Bitot's spot

Image Comments:

Some textbooks state that Bitot's spots can occur on either side of the cornea. Dr. Caccamise's experience with innumerable cases of vitamin A deficiency was as follows: In most cases the more common temporal Bitot's spot was not accompanied by a nasal Bitot's spot. When a nasal Bitot's spot was present, there was invariably a more developed temporal Bitot's spot.
In the field in a third world atmosphere, a Bitot's spot means vitamin A deficiency until proved otherwise. The xerotic conjunctival area that forms the floor of the Bitot's spot in the photo is evident as the discolored bulbar conjunctival area nasal to the limbus. An epicanthal fold is evident nasally.

Vitamin A deficiency with xerosis conjunctivae and a nasal Bitot's spot


Vitamin A deficiency with xerosis conjunctivae and a nasal Bitot's spot


Vitamin A deficiency with xerosis conjunctivae and a nasal Bitot's spot


 

 

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