Salt and pepper retinopathy

Salt and pepper retinopathy refers to tiny light specks (hypopigmentation) interspersed among tiny dark specks (hyperpigmentation) that may be seen in those affected by the rubella virus when the eye’s back (retina) is viewed using special equipment.

These specks resemble salt and pepper in appearance – salt and pepper retinopathy. Besides rubella virus infection, syphilis and the toxic effects of some drugs can produce salt and pepper retinopathy. Salt and pepper retinopathy normally does not affect vision.

Vaccination of both males and females against the rubella virus helps prevent harmful effects of the rubella virus on the baby such as blindness, deafness, heart defects and other dreadful manifestations of the congenital rubella syndrome.

Please see also the celery-stick sign (click here).

Reference:

Damasceno N, Damasceno E, Souza E. Acquired unilateral rubella retinopathy in adult. Clin Ophthalmol, 2011 5:3-4. Go to reference
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Salt and pepper shakers, salt and paper retinopathy

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Image from the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Centre

Salt grains

In measles, a highly contagious viral disease spread mainly by airborne respiratory secretions, characteristic lesions may be seen in the mouth on the inner aspects of the cheeks that appear as if there are salt grains splattered against a red background. These lesions are known as Koplik spots, so named in honor of Henry Koplik the New York physician who described them.
Reference:

Steichen O, Dautheville S: Koplik spots in early measles. CMAJ, 2009 180(5):583. Go to reference

Measles virus (electron microscope image)

Image from Wikimedia Commons