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| This disease is most often seen in the elderly and poor in the U.S. In the rest of the world where vitamin deficiencies are more common, it is one of the most common causes of blindness. Vitamin A is essential for innumerable biological functions - night and color vision, wound healing, bone and tooth formation, healthy skin, normal growth, reproductive and adrenal function, cartilage development, mucous membranes/secretions and lactation. Further, it may also be a factor in preventing cancers. It is important to the immune function, and has been shown to have antiviral properties. Causes & Development Vitamin A deficiency is usually due to poor diet. At highest risk are the elderly and the poor, and it is very common in parts of the world where poor nutrition is endemic. It also tends to occur in patients with problems absorbing nutrients from the intestine, or in those who abuse mineral laxatives. Signs & Symptoms The most common symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are night blindness and xerophthalmia (drying and inflammation of the conjuctiva of the eye). Other symptoms include dry eye, loss of taste, poor wound healing, and the formation of small, white spots in the inner eyelids. Diagnosis & Tests Blood tests are available to check vitamin A levels. Low vitamin A has for some time been associated with increased infection rate. |
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