title: Vitamin A Deficiency Presenting with 'Itchy Eyes'.
abstract: We present the case of an 88-year-old female living in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia who developed vitamin A deficiency manifesting as 'itchy eyes' due to a bizarre dietary habit. Slit lamp examination revealed Bitot's spots and a subsequent vitamin A serum level test revealed severe deficiency. An electroretinogram showed grossly reduced a- and b-wave amplitudes consistent with generalised rod and cone dysfunction - these parameters showed marked improvement 5 months post supplementation. This case highlights the presence of vitamin A deficiency in the developed world and that a careful dietary history should be taken when assessing a patient complaining of 'itchy eyes'. Timely diagnosis and treatment may result in dramatic resolution of symptoms and signs as well as prevention of serious morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Alfred Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew Hao
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Centre for Eye Research Australia, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Marc G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sarossy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Eye Research Australia, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zamir
keywords: Bitot's spots; Electroretinogram; Hypovitaminosis A; Nyctalopia; Xerophthalmia