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Vitamin A plays a major role in phototransduction, so this deficiency impairs vision, often presenting with nyctalopia (night blindness). [1] In more severe VAD cases, it can progress to xerophthalmia, keratomalacia, and complete blindness. [1] Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness worldwide and is a major ...
UNICEF regards addressing vitamin A deficiency as critical to reducing child mortality, the fourth of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals. [10] During diagnosis, night blindness and dry eyes are signs of vitamin A deficiency that can be recognized without requiring biochemical tests. Plasma retinol is used to confirm vitamin A status.
Night blindness may exist from birth, or be caused by injury or malnutrition (for example, vitamin A deficiency). It can be described as insufficient adaptation to darkness. The most common cause of nyctalopia is retinitis pigmentosa , a disorder in which the rod cells in the retina gradually lose their ability to respond to the light.
It may be caused by vitamin A deficiency, [1] which is sometimes used to describe that condition, although there may be other causes. Xerophthalmia caused by a severe vitamin A deficiency is described by pathologic dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea. The conjunctiva becomes dry, thick and wrinkled. The first symptom is poor vision at night.
Night blindness, the inability to see well in dim light, is associated with a deficiency of vitamin A, a class of compounds that includes retinol and retinal. In the early stages of vitamin A deficiency, the more light-sensitive and abundant rods , which have rhodopsin , have impaired sensitivity, and the cone cells are less affected.
Night blindness can be caused by a number of factors the most common of which being vitamin A deficiency. If detected early enough nyctalopia can be reversed and visual function can be regained; however; prolonged vitamin A deficiency can lead to permanent visual loss if left untreated. [55]
No vitamin A toxicity has ever been reported from ingestion of excessive amounts. [24] Overconsumption of beta-carotene can only cause carotenosis, a harmless and reversible cosmetic condition in which the skin turns orange. Preformed vitamin A absorption and storage in the liver occur very efficiently until a pathologic condition develops. [21]
Vitamin deficiency is the condition of a long-term lack of a vitamin. ... (night blindness) and keratomalacia, the latter leading to permanent blindness if not treated.