Acquired night blindness due to bad eating patterns.
A Parafita-Fernández1, M M Escalona-Fermín2, M Sampil1
1Ophthalmology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Spain.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 26, 2015
Summary
Acquired night blindness can occur even without typical risk factors. Vitamin A deficiency, confirmed through dietary assessment, successfully treated this rare case in Spain.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Acquired night blindness is uncommon in developed nations.
- Typical risk factors for nutritional deficiency are often absent.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old woman in Spain presented with a 6-month history of progressive acquired night blindness.
- She had no known risk factors for nutritional deficiency or a family history of retinal disease.
Findings:
- Detailed dietary inquiry revealed a suspicion of low vitamin A intake.
- Laboratory analysis confirmed vitamin A deficiency, which was successfully treated, resolving the night blindness.
Implications:
- Vitamin A deficiency should be considered in cases of acquired night blindness, regardless of apparent risk factors.
- Thorough investigation of eating patterns is essential for diagnosing vitamin A deficiency, especially in patients with unexplained night blindness.
- This diagnosis is particularly relevant in specific socioeconomic contexts and in individuals with eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia nervosa.
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