[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.
Abteilung für Pathophysiologie des Sehens und Neuroophthalmologie, Universitäts-Augenklinik Tübingen.
B
B
Sadowski
J M
JM
Rohrbach
K P
KP
Steuhl
E G
EG
Weidle
W L
WL
Castrillón-Oberndorfer
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.