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Corneal Opacities in Children

Author's details

  • Dr. Khashau Eleburuike
  • MBBS (Ilorin) MSc. Global Health Karolinska Institute.
  • Resident doctor in family medicine in Northern Sweden.

Reviewer's details

  • Dr. Melchizedek I. Munaje
  • MBBS,MWACS, FMCOph
  • Consultant Ophthalmologist, ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
  • Date Published: 2025-09-17
  • Date Updated: 2025-09-17

Corneal Opacities in Children

Introduction

What is a corneal opacity?

The cornea is the clear front window of the eye that allows light to enter.
Corneal opacity occurs when part of the cornea becomes cloudy or scarred.
This makes vision blurry or blocked, like looking through a dirty or frosted window.

 

Discussion

Why is this important?

  • Corneal opacities are among the leading causes of preventable childhood blindness in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Vision loss can affect a child’s learning, play, confidence, and independence.
  • Early detection and treatment can sometimes prevent worsening or restore vision.

 

Common causes in children

  • Eye infections (e.g., measles, herpes, bacterial keratitis).
  • Eye injuries/trauma (sticks, thorns, sand, burns).
  • Vitamin A deficiency, which can cause corneal ulceration and scarring.
  • Traditional eye medicine use, which may damage the cornea.
  • Congenital corneal opacity (child born with cloudy cornea).

 

Signs to watch for

  • White or grey spot on the eye.
  • Eye appears cloudy instead of clear.
  • Child unable to follow objects, bumps into things, or struggles at school.
  • History of eye injury, infection, or measles.

 

What to do

  • Seek eye care quickly if you notice a cloudy eye or white spot.
  • Do not apply harmful traditional remedies or breastmilk to the eye.
  • Make sure children receive Vitamin A supplementation and complete immunisations (especially measles vaccine).

 

Treatment

  • Some cases need medicines (eye drops, ointments).
  • Severe cases may need surgery such as corneal transplantation (though limited in many parts of Africa) and other surgeries
  • Rehabilitation (low vision aids, special education) can help children with permanent vision loss.

Reviewers reflection

At ECWA EYE Hospital Kano, North-western Nigeria we frequently see children with cornea problems in our experience the most effect strategy is public health education.

Conclusion

Take-home message

A white or cloudy eye in a child is always serious.
Early treatment may save sight — take your child to an eye clinic or hospital as soon as possible. Avoid putting traditional medicine or breast milk in the eyes.

References
  1. Gilbert C, Foster A. Childhood blindness in the context of VISION 2020—the right to sight. Bull World Health Organ. 2001;79(3):227–232.
  2. World Health Organization. Preventing blindness in children: report of a WHO/IAPB scientific meeting. WHO, 2000.
  3. Abdull MM, et al. Causes of childhood blindness: results from schools for the blind in north-eastern Nigeria. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006;90(4):463–466.
  4. Bowman RJ, et al. Priority eye diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Trop Doct. 2010;40(1):26–29.