Posters

Bilateral corneal ulcers in vitamin A deficiency

Poster Details

First Author: H.Hsu TAIWAN

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report a case of bilateral corneal ulcers in a vegetarian with vitamin A deficiency.

Setting:

Department of ophthalmology, Min-Sheng hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan

Methods:

A 56-year-old woman complained of blurred vision and pain in her right eye for several days. Slit lamp examination revealed a large epithelial defect and disciform stromal edema with ring infiltration in her right cornea. Unfortunately, hypopyon and purulent discharge subsequently developed in both eyes.

Results:

Herpetic keratouveitis and a superimposed pseudomonas infection were diagnosed. A systemic review on the patient showed malnutrition due to her dietary preference and vegetarianism. After the infection was controlled, bilateral epithelial defects persisted for a long time. We performed amniotic membrane transplantation on both eyes and the clinical status improved with administration of vitamin and protein supplements.

Conclusions:

Although rare in Taiwan, vitamin A deficiency should be kept in mind when conjunctival and corneal xerosis occurred. Vitamin A supplements are suggested because of the increased susceptibility to infection in patients with this clinical status.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE