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What is xerophthalmia?
Xerophthalmia, also known as dry eye syndrome, is a condition that typically characterises an early deficiency of vitamin A. However, it is essential to understand that not all individuals with vitamin A deficiency will manifest symptoms of xerophthalmia. Some diseases, medications and a few other factors may also lead to xerophthalmia. In xerophthalmia, the cornea, which is the outermost layer of the eye, becomes dry and scaly. The affected eye becomes more prone to infection. It can occur in individuals of all age groups.
What are its main signs and symptoms?
The signs and symptoms listed below may be associated with xerophthalmia:
- Itching of the eye
- Dryness of the eye
- Pain and burning sensation
- Certain periods of blurred and reduced vision
- Night blindness
- Corneal ulcers
What are the main causes?
The two vitamin A-related causes of xerophthalmia include:
- Xerophthalmia due to less intake of vitamin A in the diet, which is commonly observed in developing countries
- Xerophthalmia unrelated to the intake of vitamin A in the diet, but due to improper breakdown and storage of vitamin A
The other causes of xerophthalmia are:
- Wind
- Dry air
- Some medicines, such as antihistamines
- Diseases like diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome and arthritis
How is it diagnosed and treated?
The doctor makes the diagnosis in the following manner:
- Detailed medical history of the individual
- Examination of the eye
- Blood tests to check for deficiency of vitamin A
The doctor may recommend the following to treat xerophthalmia:
- Vitamin A supplementation to normalise the level of vitamin A in the body
- Prescription eye drops to prevent drying out of the eye
- Artificial tears as lubricants
- Warm compresses
- Eyelid massage
The following steps ensure the appropriate management of xerophthalmia:
- Increasing the dietary intake of vitamin A
- Fortification of food with vitamin A
- Dietary supplementation with vitamin A.
