Dry Eye is also known as Keratitis sicca; Xerophthalmia; Dry eye syndrome. This is a persistent dryness of the cornea & conjunctiva because of decreased function of the tear glands. The cornea may be thickened and visual acuity could decrease. See also conjunctivitis, tearing, decreased, Vitamin A deficiency, and sjogren syndrome.
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Dry eye can occur in people who are otherwise healthy. It is more common in older persons. It can also be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosis, and other similar diseases. It can be caused by thermal or chemical burns.
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There is no way to prevent dry eye. If you notice a change, complications can be prevented by use of wetting and lubricating drops and ointments.
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Symptoms of dry eye can range from a mild irritation and stinging to severe discomfort and a sensitivity to light.
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Tests Performed
The tear film can be inspected at the slit lamp (biomicroscope) by the ophthalmologist. A dye such as Fluorescein or Rose Bengal may be placed in the eye to make the tear film more visible. The doctor may do a Schirmer test, measuring the rate of wetting of a calibrated paper wick placed on the edge of the eyelid.
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Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin A helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. It is also known as retinol because it generates the pigments in the retina.
Vitamin A promotes good vision, especially in dim light. It may also be required for reproduction and lactation. Beta carotene, which has antioxidant properties, is a precursor to vitamin A when manufactured by plants. Other sources comes from animal sources such as eggs and meatVitamin A is found in milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, cod and halibut fish oil. All of these sources, except for skim milk that has been fortified with vitamin A, are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The vegetable sources of beta-carotene are fat and cholesterol free. The body will regulate the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A based on your body’s needs. Beta-carotene is found in carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, apricots, broccoli, spinach, and most dark green, leafy vegetables. The darker the color of a fruit or vegetable, the higher the beta-carotene content.
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Vitamin A helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, and skin. It also generates the pigments in the retina. This promotes good vision, especially in dim light. It may also be required for reproduction and lactation.
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It is recommended daily allowances are adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of almost all healthy persons. The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food groups guide.
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Vitamin A can decrease the susceptibility to infectious diseases, as well as taking care of vision problems.
Warning: Large doses of vitamin A can also be toxic. They can cause abnormal fetal development in a pregnant women. Increased amounts of beta-carotene can also turn the colour of the skin to yellow or orange. The skin colour will return to normal once the intake of beta-carotene is reduced.