[Corneal manifestations in Vitamin A deficiency].
BACKGROUND
Vitamin A, the fat soluble vitamin, must be supplied orally before resorption in the mucosa of the small intestine and storage in the liver. Vitamin A deficiency can cause alterations in the anterior segment of the eye, from Bitot spots, which are reversible, to irreversible keratomalacia.


METHODS
5 patients suffering from manifestations at the cornea underwent ophthalmological, general and dermatological investigation and measurements of the vitamin A, retinol-binding protein and, in one patient, zinc were performed. 4 patients suffered from cornea manifestations, reaching from almost a reactive ulceration to spontaneous perforation. One patient had relapsing episcleritis. All patients were alcoholics, had hepatopathies and dermatological diseases. Vitamin A and retinol-binding protein were decreased and in one patient a highly decreased zinc was measured. In one patient a systemical and local substitution of vitamin A increased the clinical findings significantly. Two eyes had to undergo a keratoplasty à chaud, one evisceration had to be done.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin A deficiency can be the reason for bilateral painless cornea manifestations. An interdisciplinary cooperation is essential for the elaboration of the diagnosis and the treatment.
Sadowski
B
B
Abteilung für Pathophysiologie des Sehens und Neuroophthalmologie, Universitäts-Augenklinik Tübingen.
Rohrbach
J M
JM
Steuhl
K P
KP
Weidle
E G
EG
Castrillón-Oberndorfer
W L
WL
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015423:Scleritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency
D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc
Hornhautmanifestationen bei Vitamin-A-Mangel.