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Bitot's spots (
foamy patches on the white of the eye
) - white plaques of keratinized epithelial cells - are found on the conjunctiva of young children with vitamin A deficiency. These spots can, however, be seen without vitamin A deficiency, possibly caused by exposure. Corneal softening, ulceration and dissolution (keratomalacia) eventually occur; superimposed infection is a frequent accompaniment and both lead to blindness.
Bitot's spots are actually just the thickened, hyperkeratotic epithelium, typically at the limbus. Over half of the boys in rural Ethiopia have Bitot's spots of course their growth is stunted and their vitamin A levels very low.
These are accumulations of foamy, cheesy material in the eye. Bitot's spots often occur along with night blindness, though they may differ in size, location and shape.
Early identification and proper management, along with a comprehensive vaccination program, can help prevent blindness due to vitamin A deficiency.
Bitot's spots are common signs of vitamin A deficiency, usually seen in developing countries and the common cause of blindness in children worldwide.
In fact, today the deficiency of this vitamin causes a series of health problems that could be prevented as simple as adding vitamin A rich-foods to the meals. Corneal scars and blindness can be prevented if identified and treated early. Measles can be controlled by vaccination programs.
Bitot's spots are common signs of vitamin A deficiency, usually seen in developing countries and the common cause of blindness in children worldwide.
Those spots lead to Xerophthalmia, which is endemic in many countries, and the mortality rate is high for vitamin A deficiency, especially in developed countries due to the high alcohol consumption that affects vitamin A status in the body and increases its susceptibility to infections.
Making some changes in the individuals' lifestyle may also help to prevent this condition.
In addition to Xerophthalmia, Bitot's spots may be part of other symptoms or early signs of diverse eyes diseases such as blurred vision, cataracts, conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration, corneal vascularization, diplopia, exophthalmos, decreased lacrimation, myopia, night blindness, ocular palsy, ophthalmoplegia, optic neuritis, papilledema, photophobia, scotomatas, and poor visual acuity.
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