Vitamin A deficiency with night blindness

Vitamin A deficiency occurs when the body lacks sufficient levels of vitamin A, a crucial nutrient for maintaining normal vision, immune function, and skin health. One hallmark symptom of severe vitamin A deficiency is night blindness, also known as nyctalopia. Individuals with night blindness struggle to see in low-light or dark conditions, making it challenging to navigate or perform tasks during the evening or in dimly lit environments. Nocturnal blindness is the inability of the eyes to adapt to decreased lighting. Patients usually complain of inability to see at night or in twilight. It is important to distinguish true nocturnal blindness from worsened vision, for example, in cases of cataracts or glaucoma.

Symptoms

• Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light (night blindness)
• Dry eyes, which can lead to more severe eye conditions like xerophthalmia and keratomalacia
• Dry, rough skin
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Growth retardation in children

Causes

• Inadequate dietary intake of vitamin A-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and liver
• Malabsorption disorders that impair the body’s ability to absorb vitamin A from the diet
• Chronic illnesses that impact nutrient absorption and metabolism

Diagnosis

• Clinical evaluation of symptoms
• Blood tests to measure serum retinol levels
• Ophthalmologic examination to assess eye health

Treatment

• Oral or injectable vitamin A supplements
• Increasing dietary intake of vitamin A-rich foods
• Addressing and managing underlying health conditions that may contribute to malabsorption

Prevention

• Consuming a well-balanced diet that includes sufficient amounts of vitamin A-rich foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, liver, and dairy products
• Public health measures such as vitamin A supplementation programs in regions where deficiency is common

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology