Vitamin Deficiency in the Anterior Segment

 

Sadiq Omeiza Tijani

The anterior segment of the eye consists of the cornea, iris, ciliary body, crystalline lens and the spaces of the anterior and posterior chambers filled with aqueous humor. Nutritional deficiency in these ocular structures poses a lot of complications to the eye ranging from xerophthalmia, corneal scarring, keratomalacia, Bitot’s spot, lens cataract among others. 

Vitamin A (retinol) is quite an essential vitamin to the eye in which its deficiency complicates and compromises ocular function. Other vitamins of high nutritional values to the eyes and the complications as result to their deficiency are highlighted:

Deficiency of vitamin A (Retinol): This results to a condition known as xerophthalmia Deficiency of vitamin B-1 (Thiamine): It can cause corneal anesthesia, conjunctival and cornea dystrophy and acute retro bulbar neuritis. 

Deficiency of vitamin B-12: (Riboflavin) It can produce photophobia and burning sensation in the eye due to conjunctival irritation and vascularization of the cornea. 

Deficiency of vitamin C: It is associated with hemorrhage in the conjunctiva, lids, anterior chamber as well as delay in wound healing. 

Deficiency of vitamin D: It may lead to zonular cataract, papilloedema and increase lacrimation.