18 month old

[Cindy809]

Hello ... today my grandson's pediatrician couldn't see light reflection in one of my grandson's eyes.  I've noticed for a while that the eye moves slightly different from the other eye.  The doctor said it couldn't be lazy eye.  From what I've read it could very well be that.  I've read horror stories about a tumor behind the eye.  I looked at all his pictures and didn't notice one eye being white.  What could this be?  Thank you, Cindy

[Cindy809]

Dear Dr. Kutryb ... He has an appointment tomorrow with a pediatric ophthalmologist.  Thank you very much for response.  I'm very worried!  He shows no signs of the white or gray in pictures.  Hopefully you are right and it is something very treatable.  Thanks again....Cindy

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

There are several possibilitis - they include a cataract, amblyopia, or retinal disorder or rarely retinoblastoma, as you have read.  Hopefully, everything will turn out well.  You know when you see pictures where people have red pupils - that is the reflection of light bouncing off the retina which has a reddish hue.  It that looks white or gray rather than red in pictures, it could be a sign of significant abnormality.  Let's not jump to conclusions, just get good exam with pediatric ophthalmologist and chances are it will be something very treatable with an excellent prognosis.

MJK MD