Xerophthalmia and vitamin A status

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Vitamin A's role was historically focused on vision (xerophthalmia) and rhodopsin cycle.
• Recent decades show a paradigm shift in understanding vitamin A deficiency's broader impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the revolution in clinical and scientific understanding of vitamin A deficiency.
• To underscore the global health challenge and ongoing research into its multifaceted effects.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical and scientific literature on vitamin A deficiency.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on childhood blindness and mortality associated with deficiency.

Main Results:

• Xerophthalmia is a late sign of severe deficiency, a major cause of measles-related blindness.
• Mild deficiency increases infectious morbidity, anemia, and growth retardation, contributing to millions of deaths.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin A deficiency is a critical global health challenge, impacting over 60 countries.
• Further research is needed on vitamin A's role in gene regulation, infection resistance, and corneal health.