The most common reasons for a white spot on the eye are corneal ulcers and pinguecula. In rarer cases, it can be due to cancer. Treatment may depend on the underlying cause.

White spots on the eyeball can vary in severity. Some may be hardly noticeable while others can cause a lot of discomfort.

Eye problems of any sort can cause long-term damage to vision. Even if the discomfort is minimal, it is beneficial to seek medical advice if a white spot appears on the eye.

A healthcare professional carrying out an eye exam.-2Share on Pinterest
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The following conditions can cause a white spot on the eye.

Corneal ulcers

Without treatment, corneal ulcers can lead to permanent vision damage or blindness.

These ulcers occur when an infection leads to damage in the cornea, which is the eye’s protective layer. Germs that could lead to infection in the cornea include:

  • bacteria
  • fungi, such as fusarium
  • acanthamoeba, a parasite
  • herpes simplex virus

Corneal inflammation and ulcers can also occur as a complication of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Pingueculas

Pinguecula is another common cause of white spots on the eye. Risk factors for pinguecula include:

  • ultraviolet light exposure
  • eye trauma
  • wind, dust, or sand exposure to the eyes
  • working outdoors for long periods
  • contact lenses

A person’s risk of pinguecula may also increase with age.

Pinguecula spots are white or yellow and consist of fat deposits. They appear on the conjunctiva, which is the transparent covering of the white part of the eyeball.

These spots are usually irregular in shape and commonly form on the part of the eye nearest the nose.

Cancer

Cancers can also form on various parts of the eyeball. However, symptoms such as vision changes, eye bulging, and changes in pupil shape are more likely to indicate cancer than a visible white spot on the eye.

Some people with eye cancer may see a dark spot on the eye, but the only way to confirm an eye cancer diagnosis is by seeing a qualified healthcare professional.

Ocular (eye) cancers are relatively rare. However, early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent or slow the spread of the cancer.

Other potential causes

Other potential causes of a white spot on the eye may include:

A corneal ulcer, pinguecula, or ocular cancer can share some common symptoms, such as:

Each cause also has some unique symptoms.

Corneal ulcer symptoms

Someone with a corneal ulcer may experience:

Pinguecula symptoms

Although pinguecula can occur with no additional symptoms, symptoms can include:

  • the appearance of extra blood vessels
  • a burning sensation
  • itching
  • stinging

Ocular cancer symptoms

Eye cancers can initially seem like minor conditions. An eye exam can pick up signs of eye cancer, including:

  • a bulge in one eye
  • a dark patch that grows over time
  • a lump on the lid or eyeball that is growing
  • vision disturbance, such as light, shadow, or wiggly lines

Anyone with changes to the eye will benefit from speaking with a healthcare professional. Although eye cancer is uncommon, early diagnosis and treatment are vital to improve a person’s outlook.

It is important to see a doctor if someone has:

  • any rapid change in vision
  • sudden eye pain
  • discharge from the eye

A doctor can refer someone to an ophthalmologist or optometrist. These are eye specialists who can run a full range of tests.

An eye doctor will examine the eye and ask about any recent injuries. They may also carry out a slit lamp exam. To do this test, they drop a dye called fluorescein onto the eye, which they will examine using a special microscope.

If the eye doctor suspects an infection, they may take a tiny amount of tissue for analysis. This is called a biopsy or culture.

A doctor may diagnose eye cancer with the following:

Treatment for a white spot on the eye will depend on the underlying cause.

Treatment of corneal ulcers

A doctor will remove any debris from the eye and then treat the damage.

Most corneal ulcers require topical antibiotics, which usually means eye drops.

Other treatments may include:

A doctor may recommend avoiding contact lenses during treatment and recovery, even if they are not the cause of the corneal ulcer.

If necessary, they may also suggest medication such as pain relievers or tear substitutes to manage any additional symptoms.

If the damage to the cornea is severe, doctors may replace part or all of the cornea with a new donor cornea.

Treatment of pinguecula

Treatment for pinguecula is rarely necessary. In many cases, a doctor will offer management strategies to combat the underlying cause. This may include:

  • wide-brimmed hats to protect the eyes from sunlight
  • protective eyewear to stop dust or sand from getting in the eye
  • glasses with transition lenses
  • sunglasses with polarized lenses
  • contact lenses with UV protection
  • artificial tears to help with dryness or foreign bodies in the eye
  • steroids to manage inflammation
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

People can discuss the surgical removal of a pinguecula with their doctor. However, this is typically only for cosmetic reasons.

Treatment of ocular cancers

The treatments for eye cancers depend on the type and stage of the tumor. Treatment methods include:

The best way to prevent white spots from developing on the eyes involves looking after the eyes. The following steps can help to protect eye health:

  • Use a wide-brimmed hat to shade the eyes from the sun.
  • Wear sunglasses with 100-percent UVA and UVB protection.
  • Wear protective eyewear in dusty or sandy environments.
  • Wear protective eyewear when swimming.
  • Wash the hands regularly, especially before touching the eyes.
  • Take off eye makeup overnight.
  • Keep the area around the eyes clean at all times.
  • Practice proper contact lens hygiene.

People should speak with a healthcare professional if they have any eye issues, including dryness. If someone has a cold sore, they should avoid touching their eyes.

People who wear contact lenses should always follow the guidelines for use. It is essential to clean the lenses with the correct solution, remove them regularly, and replace them if they are damaged or ill-fitting.

The outlook for white spots on the eye can vary greatly. It is most likely that a white spot is a benign condition. Although the chances of a white spot being cancer are low, the potential risks of untreated cancer are high.

White spots on the eye tend to be easily treatable. An early diagnosis will help to limit the impact. Therefore, it is essential to speak to a doctor if there are any signs of white spots on the eye.

A white spot on the eye may indicate an ulcer, an injury, or eye cancer. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Good hygiene practices are always recommended and will help prevent a lot of eye issues. Protect the eyes against the sun, particles in the air, and bacteria.