Bitot's Spots are greyish spots that form
on the surface of dry patches of conjunctiva
at the sides of the eyes
and are named after French Physician, P.A. Bitot (1822-88).
Bitot's Spots consist of fragments of keratinized epithelium.
They can be triangular in shape and vary in appearance from "cheesy
greyish" to silver-grey and can appear shiny.
A common cause of Bitot's Spots is deficiency of Vitamin
A. This condition is more common in developing countries where child
nutrition is often poorer than in developed nations. If left undiagnosed
and untreated, Bitot's spots may be lead to night
blindness, perhaps eventually to xerophthalmia,
and in worst cases, blindness.
Bitot's Spots are an example of a medical condition directly
associated with malnutrition.
More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram
of the eye, and definitions
of parts of the eye, a description
of the human retina, and definitions
of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions
of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.
For further information see also our section of Books
about Ophthalmology. |
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This Section
is about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and
human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.
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