Are your eyes dry? It could be due to Xerophthalmia!

Do you sometimes feel like your eyes are dry, like there's something inside them? Or do you find it difficult to see in low light at night? These may seem like small things, but sometimes they can be symptoms of a condition called Xerophthalmia, which is caused by a vitamin A deficiency. Let's find out more about this today.

What is Xerophthalmia? Simply put...

Xerophthalmia literally means "dry eye." But it's more than just dry eyes. It's actually a collection of symptoms that affect the eyes when there's not enough vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A deficiency can occur in two main ways: 1. Not getting enough vitamin A from the food we eat. 2. Even if we do get vitamin A, our bodies can't use it properly. The most dangerous thing about this condition is that it can lead to blindness if not treated properly.

How common is this condition?

According to the World Health Organization, more than 250 million children worldwide suffer from Vitamin A deficiency. Also, about 2.8 million children suffer from Xerophthalmia. The saddest thing is, about 350,000 children go blind every year due to this. That means, Xerophthalmia is the leading cause of blindness among children.

What are these symptoms? How do you recognize them?

Xerophthalmia symptoms usually appear in a certain order. Let's see what they are: 1. Night blindness / Nyctalopia: This is one of the first symptoms. You may not be able to see clearly at night, in dimly lit places, for example, in a restaurant, a movie theater, or when the lights are dim at home. When you suddenly go from a bright place to a dim place, your eyes also take longer to adjust to the darkness. Imagine how difficult it would be if you couldn't see clearly when you were walking down the street at night. 2. Conjunctival xerosis: The thin membrane that covers the white part of your eye (Sclera) and the inside of your eyelid is called the ``Conjunctiva''. In Xerophthalmia, this ``Conjunctiva'' becomes dry. `(Xerosis)` is a medical term for dryness. 3. Bitot spots: In this, the white part of the eye, usually triangular in shape, foamy, silver-gray spots appear. These are called `(Bitot spots)`. 4. Dryness of the front membrane of the black eye (Corneal xerosis): The transparent, most important part of the eye that is in front of the black eye is called the cornea. Dryness of the cornea is also a symptom of xerophthalmia. In fact, the cornea is a place that should be moist. 5. Corneal ulcers :When the cornea becomes dry and damaged, it can develop sores, like holes. These are called corneal ulcers. This is a serious condition. 6. Softening and clouding of the cornea (Keratomalacia): This is when the cornea becomes soft and cloudy. This can cause scarring and even permanent blindness. Keratomalacia is a severe form of xerophthalmia. 7. Xerophthalmic fundus: Your retina, the part of the eye that collects light, can develop lesions and structural changes.

Why do we get Xerophthalmia? What are the causes?

The main reason for this is a deficiency of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for our eyesight in two main ways: for moisture and for pigments.

• For moisture: Vitamin A is essential to keep our corneas moist and produce the necessary moisture. If the corneas become dry, they can become damaged and even lead to blindness.
• For pigments: Vitamin A is also needed to produce some pigments that our retina needs to function properly. When vitamin A is insufficient, the ability to produce these pigments decreases. In particular, this affects the functioning of the rods, which help us see in the dark. That is why night vision is reduced.

Vitamin A deficiency occurs when we either do not get enough vitamin A from the foods we eat, or our body is unable to use vitamin A properly. This condition is common in developing countries, especially among children, due to a lack of essential nutrients.

How do doctors diagnose this?

If you have symptoms like these, when you see a doctor, he or she will likely run several tests to diagnose the condition.

• Complete medical history : The doctor will ask about your diet and health habits .
• Complete eye exam: Both eyes are thoroughly examined.
• Clinical signs: The doctor will assess the symptoms of your eyes (e.g., cataracts, dryness).
• Blood tests: These can measure the level of vitamin A in the blood.
• Night vision and dark adaptation tests:These tests measure how well you see in low light and darkness, and how long it takes your eyes to adapt to the dark.
• Impression cytology: This is a special technique that examines a sample of cells taken from the surface of the eye (conjunctiva).
• Electroretinogram (ERG): This test measures how your eyes respond to light.

What are the treatments for this?

Treating this condition is really simple, especially if it is recognized early.

• Vitamin A supplements: Your doctor may prescribe vitamin A tablets or syrup.
• Artificial tears: These are said to be used to reduce dryness in the eyes.
• Topical antibiotics: If there is some kind of infection, an antibiotic ointment may be given.

The most important thing is to take Vitamin A as directed by your doctor. Because taking too much Vitamin A can be harmful to the body.

What can we do to reduce the development of xerophthalmia?

The best way to prevent this is to include foods that contain enough vitamin A in our diet. Here are some of those foods:

• Dark green vegetables: spinach, kale, collard greens, etc. Kale is also good.
• Yellow and orange fruits: Fruits like papaya, mango, and orange.
• Yellow vegetables: pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets.
• Liver: Animal liver is rich in vitamin A.
• Egg yolk .
• Fish liver oils: For example, cod liver oil.
• Fortified foods: Some milk powders and cereals are fortified with vitamin A.

Doctors monitor people with vitamin A deficiency when giving them supplements, because too much vitamin A can also be dangerous.

What happens if you have Xerophthalmia?

This condition can be completely cured if treated properly. That's the good news. However, if left untreated, there is a high risk of blindness. That's why it's important to seek medical advice as soon as you notice symptoms.

When should we see a doctor about this?

If you experience any discomfort or change in your vision, even if it's just something minor like dry eyes,See a doctor as soon as possible. Your or your child's doctor will examine your eyes and skin during a routine checkup. They will be able to detect any dryness in your skin and eyes. A doctor can see some of the changes in your eyes that can be caused by a vitamin A deficiency. They will also ask about your diet and your child's eating habits and give you advice.

What is the difference between Xerophthalmia and Keratomalacia?

Simply put, Xerophthalmia is a group of eye diseases caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A. Keratomalacia, which is a softening of the cornea, is a condition that belongs to the Xerophthalmia group. That is, Keratomalacia is a part of Xerophthalmia.

What is the difference between Xerophthalmia and Xerostomia?

The difference between the two is that they talk about dryness in different parts of the body.

• Xerophthalmia means dry eyes.
• Xerostomia means dry mouth.

Finally, the most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

It is normal to feel a little scared when you have eye symptoms. But if you have such symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible. In a condition like Xerophthalmia, Vitamin A tablets are a simple solution. Early detection and treatment are the best way to achieve good results. The World Health Organization and many other organizations are doing a great job in eliminating Vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. This is to reduce preventable blindness and diseases among children. So, let us be aware of this and take care of our own and our children's nutrition.