Bitot’s Spots
Bitot’s spots are keratin debris buildup, which could be irregular, triangular, or oval with a foamy layer on top. It may lead to night blindness, although it’s easily reversible. However, in worse-case scenarios, it could lead to complete blindness. The underlying causes of this condition are all related to vitamin A deficiency. The insufficient intake of this vitamin could be due to inadequate food sources, which is why it’s prevalent in poor countries. Those with dysphagia or swallowing difficulties may also not have enough nutrients, including vitamin A, because they have trouble eating. Health problems that cause low vitamin A storage could contribute to the deficiency, like cystic fibrosis and liver disease. The body may also have trouble absorbing vitamin A if you have chronic diarrhea, pancreatic insufficiency, and Crohn’s disease.
You may undergo a series of examinations to treat Bitot’s spots. It may include a review of your history, general examination, blood tests, and special tests like lower GI scope and abdomen ultrasound. The treatment for this eye condition is usually a high dosage of vitamin A. They will also be treated if there are underlying medical conditions since they contribute to vitamin A deficiency causing Bitot’s spots.
