Bitot's spots

Collections of keratin in the conjunctiva, known as "Bitot's Spots," are also seen.

Bitot's spots are the buildup of keratin debris located superficially in the conjunctiva, which are oval, triangular or irregular in shape.

Other conditions involved in the progression already stated include the appearance of Bitot's spots, which are clumps of keratin debris that build up inside the conjunctiva and night blindness, which precedes corneal ulceration and total blindness.

This is followed by the build-up of keratin debris in small opaque plaques (Bitot's spots) and, eventually, erosion of the roughened corneal surface with softening and destruction of the cornea (keratomalacia) and leading to total blindness.

Of the 280 children examined on this day, 50 showed symptoms of night blindness, 17 others had eye infections and one little girl had Bitot's spots, foamy white patches on the whites of the eye that show the eyeballs are starting to deteriorate.