Posters

Hypovitaminosis A and xerophthalmia: a possible diagnosis in developed countries

Poster Details

First Author: M.Diaz de Aguilar Osona SPAIN

Co Author(s):    D. Ángel   M. Sánchez-Gijón   S. Gómez   I. Rodríguez   R. Falcón        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report a case of xerophthalmia secondary to hypovitaminosis A in a patient with chronic hepatitis and poor dietary intake.

Setting:

Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Department of Opthalmology, Tenerife, Spain.

Methods:

We present a case of a male patient who developed bilateral xerophthalmia due to hypovitaminosis A. A full ophthalmologic and systemic examination was performed including vitamin A serum levels. He was managed with topical and systemic medical treatment.

Results:

A 59 years-old-man with a personal medical history of polydrug addiction, chronic hepatitis and poor dietary intake was referred from Internal Medicine Department. He presented with a visual acuity below 20/200 on both eyes. His anterior pole showed severe conjunctival and corneal xerosis associated with keratinization of the ocular surface. Schirmer test was below 4 mm on both eyes. A dose of 200.000 UI of vitamin A during 3 days followed by 50.000 UI up to 2 weeks along with artificial tears and topical retinol was prescribed. An almost complete resolution of pathological clinical findings and a significant visual acuity improvement was obtained.

Conclusions:

Vitamin A deficiency is a rare condition in developed countries due to sufficient nutritional intake. In case of severe xerosis, that might be accompanied by peripheral depigmentation of the retina (xerophthalmic fundus), hepatic or malabsorption pathology needs to be ruled out. Early treatment of this condition will greatly improve visual prognosis avoiding complications such as keratomalacia and corneal perforation.

Financial Disclosure:

None