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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The spots may abate under replacement therapy.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In ancient Egypt, this was treated with animal liver, which is where vitamin A is stored.<ref name="Numitor2012">Template:Cite book</ref>
Causes
A major cause of Bitot's spots is vitamin A deficiency (VAD).<ref name="CEHJ-Bitots">Template:Cite journal</ref> Rarely, pellagra due to deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) may also cause Bitot's spots.<ref name="jama">Template:Cite journal</ref> They can also be caused by Colestyramine , which is a bile acid sequestrant which can reduce the absorption of fat soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E, K)
Treatment
VAD is commonly treated with oral vitamin A supplements.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Improvement of Bitot's spots is seen with high-dose vitamin A therapy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bitot's spots non-responsive to vitamin A therapy may be removed surgically.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
References
External links
Template:Nutritional pathology Template:Eponymous medical signs for eyes and ears