Association of xerophthalmia, flecked retina, and pseudotumor cerebri caused by hypovitaminosis A.
OBJECTIVE
To report an unusual case of hypovitaminosis A with bilateral papilledema and flecked retina that regressed after restoration of vitamin A deficiency.


METHODS
Case report. A 27-year-old woman had undergone a biliopancreatic bypass for obesity in 1990. In 1995, she presented with bilateral xerophthalmia, bilateral papilledema, and bilateral flecked retina.


RESULTS
Laboratory tests demonstrated low serum levels of vitamin A (0.8 micromol/l) and vitamin E (8.54 micromol/l). Xerophthalmia, papilledema, and flecked retina disappeared after restoration of normal vitamin A blood levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypovitaminosis A after biliopancreatic bypass for obesity may be associated with xerophthalmia, pseudotumor cerebri, and flecked retina.
Panozzo
G
G
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Verona. g.panozzo@intesys.it
Babighian
S
S
Bonora
A
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D010211:Papilledema / Q000209:etiology; D011559:Pseudotumor Cerebri / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E