Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Glaucoma With Coexisting Vitamin A Deficiency

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Nutritional Science
• Retinal Imaging

Background:

• Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a progressive optic neuropathy.
• Vitamin A deficiency can cause visual disturbances and retinal changes.
• The role of vitamin A in the inner retina is not fully understood.

Observation:

• A case study of an adult with asymmetric normal tension glaucoma was investigated.
• Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) revealed significant inner and outer retinal layer loss.
• The observed retinal damage extended beyond typical vitamin A deficiency presentations.

Findings:

• Vitamin A supplementation led to normalization of visual acuity, dark adaptation, and color vision.
• OCT showed restoration of outer retinal layer thickness post-supplementation.
• Inner retinal layers did not show structural recovery despite clinical improvement.

Implications:

• This case highlights a potential role for vitamin A in maintaining inner retinal health.
• It suggests that vitamin A supplementation can reverse outer retinal damage in deficiency.
• Further research is warranted to explore vitamin A's specific mechanisms in retinal health and disease.