Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Roth spot
Introduction
Roth’s spots are retinal hemorrhages with white or pale centers composed of coagulated fibrin. They are typically observed via fundoscopy (using an ophthalmoscope to view inside the eye).
They are usually caused by microemboli, often from bacterial endocarditis. Roth’s spots may be observed in leukemia, diabetes, subacute bacterial endocarditis, pernicious anaemia, ischemic events associated with elevated venous pressure and systemic vascular conditions with capillary fragility.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]