A
A
A
Discoloration of the sclera: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
х
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Focal color change of sclera (focal discoloration)
It can be caused by the following reasons.
- The age-old transparency of the sclera is the disgraced dark gray areas.
- Alkaponuria can cause a brown-black color (ochronosis) in the attachment of horizontal rectus muscles and pigmentation of the auricles.
- Hemochromotosis causes a rusty-brown color.
- Systemic use of minocycline causes a gray-blue staining of the paralimbal area, usually more intense between the eyelids, possibly due to photosensitizing properties of the drug. This can be combined with pigmentation of the skin, teeth, nails, mucous membranes, thyroid gland and bones.
- A long-lived metallic foreign body can cause rusty staining
[Diffuse color change of sclera (diffuse discoloration)
- Yellow staining of the sclera is caused by jaundice.
- The blue color of the sclera is caused by the thinning and transparency of the scleral collagen and the translucence of the underlying choroid.
- Essential cases are incomplete osteogenesis of 1-2 types, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (usually type 6), elastic pseudocanthom (dominant type 2) and Turner syndrome.
Maybe the acquired color change of the sclera - blackish, dirty-gray-bluish spots (yellow sclera) - with the intake of certain medicinal substances, preparations of silver, the use of cosmetics.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?