The Role of Vitamin A Deficiency in Blindness

CONCLUSION

The role of vitamin A deficiency is not limited to the initial processes involved in receiving visual stimuli . Normal functions of the photoreceptors or light-sensory receptors of the eyes largely depend on the presence of vitamin A and its metabolites within the retina Prolonged vitamin A deficiency leads to deterioration of these structures causing impaired vision . Adequate amounts of vitamin A are required for proper eye development in embryos and maintenance of normal anatomical structures of the eye , including the conjunctiva and cornea As a whole , deficiency in vitamin A

results to major destruction of eye structures and visual functions , impairing vision and ultimately leading to irreversible blindness

Blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem , especially in developing countries resulting from vitamin-A-attributed corneal scarring . There is a significant difference between causes of prevalent cases of blindness across different levels of socioeconomic statuses

Studies also emphasize the overall impact of vitamin A deficiency to child morbidity , mortality and growth . Evidently , the concern for the emotional , social and economic costs also diffuses from the problem with blindness as a disability . Serious actions must be taken to help address the situation . Further studies are needed to evaluate measures most adept to combat vitamin A deficiency in a community with regards to cost and feasibility of the program , together with the strategies to detect subclinical VAD for early management and hopefully , restore vision among the blind...