Joy, a clever and determined 10-year-old girl from a small village, had always aspired to be a teacher. She enjoyed attending school and performed exceptionally well in her classes. However, as time passed, Joy began to face challenges with her ability to see the blackboard in class, particularly during evening study hours. She frequently squinted and strained her eyes, but the words remained unclear.
One afternoon, while heading home from school, Joy tripped on the path, unable to spot a rock in her way. Her parents began to notice her difficulty navigating in the evenings and decided to take her to a local healthcare professional. After a straightforward examination, the professional informed Joy’s parents that she was experiencing a vitamin A deficiency, which was leading to her night blindness.
What is the relationship between vitamin A deficiency and vision? Joy’s parents wondered. If you’re curious too, continue reading this post. In this blog post, we’ll explore the effects of vitamin A deficiency on eye health and what you can do to prevent it.
WHAT IS VITAMIN A AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT VISION?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial for the health of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It helps to regenerate rhodopsin, the pigment that allows the eye to adjust to changes in light and maintains the integrity of the cornea, the clear layer on the front of the eye. Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining good vision. To perceive the complete range of light, the eye must generate specific pigments(rhodopsin) for the retina to function effectively. A lack of vitamin A inhibits the production of these pigments, resulting in difficulty seeing at night. Additionally, vitamin A is necessary to support other components of the eye, such as the cornea. Insufficient vitamin A prevents the eyes from producing enough moisture to remain adequately lubricated.
Vitamin A deficiency is the main preventable cause of blindness among children globally. It is estimated that between 250,000 to 500,000 children lose their sight each year due to a lack of vitamin A. Among these children, approximately half do not survive more than a year after becoming blind.
In pregnant and breastfeeding women, a deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness and may also increase maternal mortality, as it negatively impacts the immune system. This raises the risk of death from diseases such as malaria, measles, and diarrhoea.
Stay tuned for more on vitamin A deficiency in our next post. Visit TREETOP VISION EYE CENTRE (TREVEC), the best eye clinic in Utako, for a comprehensive eye exam.
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