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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
07:46
Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
[The eye and anorexia nervosa. A case report]
A Berthout1, M Sellam, F Denimal
1Centre Ophtalmologique Saint-Victor, CHU, Amiens, France. aberthout@club-internet.fr
Journal Francais D'Ophtalmologie
|July 25, 2007
Summary
Vitamin A deficiency, rare in developed nations, can cause blindness. This case highlights severe vision loss in anorexia nervosa due to vitamin A deficiency, impacting both cornea and photoreceptors.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Nutritional Science
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of preventable blindness in developing countries, primarily linked to malnutrition.
- While rare in industrialized nations, it can occur secondary to malabsorption syndromes.
- This report details the first documented case of hypovitaminosis A in a patient with severe, chronic anorexia nervosa.
Observation:
- The patient presented with epiphora, photophobia, and night blindness (hesperanopia).
- Ophthalmologic examination revealed keratoconjunctival xerosis and bilateral corneal ulcerations.
- Visual field testing showed concentric restrictions and tubular central vision, mimicking retinitis pigmentosa.
Findings:
- Electoretinography (ERG) demonstrated reduced b2 waves with impaired scotopic and normal photopic responses.
- Serum retinol levels confirmed hypovitaminosis A.
- While vitamin supplementation improved corneal health, visual field deficits persisted.
Implications:
- Corneoconjunctival xerosis results from goblet cell destruction.
- Campimetric deficits stem from rod cell dysfunction due to impaired rhodopsin regeneration.
- This case underscores that psychiatric disorders can precipitate severe vitamin A deficiency with significant visual consequences beyond xerophthalmia.
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