Night blindness after jejunoileal bypass surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Nutritional Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Jejunoileal bypass surgery, a bariatric procedure, can lead to malabsorption of nutrients.
• Vitamin A deficiency is a known complication that can affect vision.

Observation:

• A 53-year-old woman presented with nyctalopia (night blindness) nine years post-jejunoileal bypass.
• Ophthalmic examination revealed abnormal rod function via dark-adapted electroretinography.
• Serum analysis confirmed vitamin A and carotene deficiency.

Findings:

• Oral vitamin A supplementation completely resolved the patient's night blindness.
• Electroretinography returned to normal following vitamin A repletion.
• This case, along with four prior reports, highlights a pattern of visual disturbance post-surgery.

Implications:

• Jejunoileal bypass patients should be routinely screened for night vision complaints.
• Ophthalmic evaluation, including electroretinography and vitamin A levels, is crucial for diagnosis.
• Timely identification and treatment of vitamin A deficiency can prevent irreversible vision loss.