[Xerophthalmia in liver cirrhosis. Correct diagnosis after 15 years].
The clinical features of xerophthalmia are described in a 60-year-old patient, who was known to have alcoholic cirrhosis. In this patient, vitamin A deficiency, which presumably had been overlooked for 15 years, was confirmed by determination of the serum vitamin A level. After substitutive vitamin A therapy, superficial punctate keratitis and conjunctival xerosis disappeared completely. Although xerophthalmia has only sporadically been described in developed countries, we point out that the possibility of a vitamin A deficiency should also be considered in cases of recurrent conjunctival and corneal lesions.
Ettl
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Universitäts-Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Innsbruck, Osterreich.
Daxecker
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F
D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011512:Proteus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011513:Proteus mirabilis; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
Xerophthalmie bei Leberzirrhose. Richtige Diagnose nach 15 Jahren.