Bitot's spots
| Bitot's spots | |
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| Other names: ICD10 = E50.1 | |
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| Typical location of Bitot's spots | |
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Bitot's spots are the buildup of keratin located superficially in the conjunctiva of human's eyes. They can be oval, triangular or irregular in shape. The spots are a sign of vitamin A deficiency and associated with drying of the cornea. In 1863, the French physician Pierre Bitot (1822–1888) first described these spots.[1] The spots may abate under replacement therapy.[2] In ancient Egypt, this was treated with animal liver, which is where vitamin A is stored.[3]
Signs and symptoms
In terms of the clinical presentation we see typically dry-appearing triangular patches of xerosed conjunctiva ( found temporal to cornea)[4]
Causes
Major cause of Bitot's spot is vitamin A deficiency (VAD).[5] Rarely, pellegra due to deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) may also cause Bitot's spots.[6]
Diagnosis
The evaluation of the affected individual is as follows:[4]
- General exam
- Eye exam
- Blood test
Treatment
VAD is commonly treated with oral vitamin A supplements.[7] Improvement of Bitot's spots is seen with high-dose vitamin A therapy.[4] Bitot's spots non-responsive to vitamin A therapy may be removed surgically.[8]
References
- ↑ Shukla, M; Behari, K (Jul 1979). "Congenital Bitot spots". Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 27 (2): 63–4. PMID 541036. Archived from the original on 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- ↑ Ram, Jagat; Jinagal, Jitender (2018). "Bitot's Spots". New England Journal of Medicine. 379 (9): 869. doi:10.1056/NEJMicm1715354. PMID 30157394. S2CID 52126826.
- ↑ Numitor, Gerd (February 2012). Bitot's Spots. Flu Press. ISBN 978-620-0-57824-2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Management of Bitot's Spots". American Academy of Ophthalmology. 1 December 2016. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ↑ Gilbert, Clare (2013). "The eye signs of vitamin A deficiency". Community Eye Health. 26 (84): 66–67. ISSN 0953-6833. PMC 3936686. PMID 24782581.
- ↑ Levine, Robert A.; Rabb, Maurice F. (1 November 1971). "Bitot's Spot Overlying a Pinguecula". Archives of Ophthalmology. 86 (5): 525–528. doi:10.1001/archopht.1971.01000010527007. PMID 5315641. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ↑ "Vitamin A Deficiency Treatment & Management: Medical Care, Consultations, Diet". 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ↑ Themes, U. F. O. (11 September 2016). "Bitot's Spots". Ento Key. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
External links
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