Vitamin A Deficiency and Its Effects on Eye Health

Vitamin A is a vitamin of vital importance for the body and is especially important for eye health. For this reason, too little of it, or a deficiency, can seriously affect eye health.

What Does Vitamin A Do?

Vitamin A is a very important vitamin for the body and has various functions. Some of its important roles are:

• Eye health: it helps the light-sensitive cells that make night vision possible (cones and rods) keep working normally. It is also needed to keep the cornea at the front of the eye healthy.
• Supporting the immune system: it plays an important role in supporting the immune system. When the body is fighting infections, vitamin A supports the function of immune cells.
• Cell growth and development: it is needed for cells to grow and develop. It is especially important for the healthy growth and renewal of skin, hair and bones.
• Skin health: vitamin A contributes to keeping the skin moisturised and to its healthy renewal. Do not use vitamin A products or supplements for skin conditions without medical advice.
• Bone health: it is important for the healthy growth and development of bones.
• Reproductive health: it contributes to the health of the reproductive system. It is also important in pregnancy; talk to your obstetrician before taking vitamin A supplements, because too much can be harmful.

For these reasons, vitamin A is of vital importance for the body, and it should be part of a balanced eating plan for a healthy life.

What Are the Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency?

Vitamin A deficiency happens when there is not enough vitamin A in the body. Its signs are generally as follows:

• Night blindness
• Eye problems
• Skin problems such as dryness, flaking and redness
• Hair and nail problems such as hair loss, brittle nails and slow nail growth
• Weaker immunity
• Growth and development problems

These signs can have many causes, so speak to your doctor rather than trying to work out the cause yourself.

Vitamin A and Eye Health

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin found in forms such as retinol, retinal and retinoic acid. It is needed for the photoreceptor cells in the eye (cones and rods) to keep working normally. It also has important roles in eye health, such as keeping the cornea healthy, supporting night vision and helping to produce tears.

Effects of Vitamin A Deficiency on Eye Health

The negative effects of vitamin A deficiency on eye health include:

• Night blindness: vitamin A deficiency can cause a drop in retinol in the eye, leading to night blindness. This is characterised by a reduced ability to see clearly in the dark.
• Keratomalacia: it can cause the cornea to soften and thin. This condition is called keratomalacia and can lead to serious loss of sight.
• Xerophthalmia: it can cause dryness and inflammation in the eye. This condition is called xerophthalmia and can cause the cornea to dry out and become inflamed.
• Eye infections: it can weaken the immune defence of the eye, which can lead to eye infections happening more often.
• Reduced tear production: vitamin A deficiency can reduce tear production, which can stop the eyes from staying moist and protected.

Getting Enough Vitamin A

A balanced diet is important to avoid vitamin A deficiency. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, mango, egg yolk and fish oil. In some cases supplements may be taken under a doctor's supervision.

Vitamin A deficiency can have serious effects on eye health and can lead to loss of sight and even blindness. For this reason it is important to make sure you get enough vitamin A through a balanced eating plan and, where necessary, supplements recommended by your doctor. To protect your eye health and help avoid possible complications in the future, have regular eye examinations and follow your doctor's advice.

This article is for general information only; please consult your doctor and dietitian about your own situation.