pupil on photos

i know that you can get "red eyes" in photos.  and if you (esp. kids) get a "white eye" reflection in a photo that it can be retinoblastoma.  my questions are:  if you have some photos were someones eye is not completely red or black, is that a bad sign?  but in a vast majority of pictures the eye or eyes have the red or black reflection.  AND, if someone had their eye exam about six months ago by an optometrist and family dr., wouldnt something have turned up then?  couldnt lighting of the room, angles of the picture being taken, etc. contribute to maybe an eye not being right in a photo?

[John C Hagan]

A total "white" reflex on one side and a normal red reflex on the other especially in a child requires an examination by an ophthalmologist (EyeMD) to rule out problems in the eye (like a retinoblastoma) or misalignment of the eye (strabismus).

Yes the color of the reflex can vary depending on a lot of variables. A more reliable guide in an adult is if there were any sympotms such as reduced vision.

An examination by an optometrist 6 months ago that was normal is reassuring but some thngs can develop in less than a half year. An examination by a family doctor is not a substitute for an examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Some things like a hemorrhage into the back of the eye (vitreous hemorrhage) can cause a black relex in that in in as little as 10-15 minutes.

JCH MD

[ny2125]

thanks for responding dr.  we took our child to the eye dr. and she got a thorough exam again.  her pupils were dilated and examined for all the problems that could arise from an odd photo (the eyes).  we even brought the photos and the dr. looked at them and did not believe it to be a true white reflex but more of the flash of the camera, lighting, angles, etc.  but regardless to her hunch, she still performed the in depth test and she found everything to be normal.