What changes in the eye result from a deficiency of vitamin A?
(1) Night blindness: Inability of the patient to adapt to and see in darkness. In the earlier stages, it is merely increased time needed before one can see in the dark, but in the later stages night vision is seriously affected. However, not all cases of night blindness are due to vitamin A deficiency and an examination is usually needed to exclude other causes. (2) Xerosis: A condition in which the front of the eye dries out causing, in its later stages, blindness. (3) Keratomalacia: Only occurring in very severe cases of acute deficiency of vitamin A and malnutrition. It leads to complete loss of vision from progressive drying and death of the tissues which gradually peel or slough off leading to loss of the eye. What changes occur in the body from a deficiency of vitamin A? The following changes occur in the body: (A) Dry scaly skin with thickness of the skin (B) Mucous membranes like the inside of the lips become dry, toughened and hard (C) Increased tendency to develop infections
