Red eye reflex

[BlondieR22]

Hi All,

I have noticed my DS pupils reflect red in certain lights. I know this is normal and a good thing with flash photography but I am not sure if it’s normal if it happens in certain lights?

it seems to be if he is somewhere dark (like under hood in pram) and looking out to bright light. Or I noticed it when he was in the car seat at front door (dark outside) looking into the house with lights on.

we are waiting for some tests for albinism as he has very fair hair and lashes. I’m wondering if this red eye reflex I am seeing could be related?

all that I can find on google is to do with flash photography!

thanks in advance x

So you see it more often and it's brighter red in colour in people who have lighter coloured retinas - which you get with albinism but also get with lighter coloured eyes and generally skin. It's also more obvious when you have larger pupils - which small children usually have.

You also have less pigment in the iris too (which is the coloured bit) so you often get something called iris transillumination in albinism as well. This looks like a very distinct red reflex, which also shines through parts of the iris.

Thanks for the reply @underneaththeash . It seems to me that it is only the pupil that shines through red and no doctors have mentioned iris translumination which I imagine would be quite easy to see by a dr or eye specialist?

he has very very blonde hair it is almost white. pale skin (although still with some pink pigment) and pale blonde lashes. His eyes are quite a deep blue though. My other half was white blonde as a child too and his mum is ginger. I also have blonde hair and blue eyes. I have also red that pale retina is seen in very blonde people so I am hoping he is just a pastey blonde kid!

we have an appointment Monday so will know more then. Praying for good news.

Fingers crossed for a pasty blonde kid too!

Yes, an ophthalmologist would have spotted iris transillumination - it's very striking.