Due to the fact that hypovitaminosis is a major cause of a variety of diseases, it is critical to maintain adequate vitamin levels in the body.
A group of experts discovered that a vitamin deficiency causes irreversible damage to the eyes and, if not addressed promptly, can result in blindness.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) says, vitamin A deficiency can cause blindness because it dries the cornea and harms the retina. They also say that low levels of vitamin A are one of the main causes of infant mortality.
The WHO explains: “An estimated 250 000 to 500 000 children who are vitamin A-deficient become blind every year, and half of them die within 12 months of losing their sight.”
The retina requires a set of pigments to function and perceive the complete spectrum of light, according to scientific evidence. The production of these pigments stops when vitamin A levels fall too low, which can contribute to night blindness.
The cornea is another portion of the eye that is extremely reliant on vitamin A; a deficit leads to the early onset of dry eye syndrome, in which the conjunctiva and cornea are both dehydrated.
Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency
Decreased visual acuity and night blindness are two of the most common symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The conjunctiva, the mucous membrane of the eye that keeps it wet, gets dry as vitamin A deficiency progresses, and the cornea ulcerates. You may lose your sight altogether if the condition is not treated.
Loss of tears, eye sores, weariness, dry cracked lips, and bladder infections are all indications of vitamin A deficiency, according to separate sources.
Vitamin A is present in animal products such as fish, poultry, and dairy products, but it is also found in red, orange, and green fruits and vegetables high in beta carotene, such as carrots, mangoes, apricots, tomatoes, peas, and spinach.
This is why eating a well-balanced diet that contains these items is critical. This can be a great approach to naturally prevent deficiency in this vitamin, but it’s best to visit a doctor first to ensure you’re getting a safe treatment that won’t put your health at risk.
Image Credit: Getty
You were reading: Lack of this vitamin causes blindness in hundreds of thousands of people each year
