Overload
Xerophthalmia
Category: Illness or disabilities
Type
Involuntary
Introduction and description
Xerophthalmia is estimated to affect 5 million children each year. It is a medical condition in which the eye fails to produce tears. It is thus a symptom not a cause.
Symptoms
Xerophthalmia results in dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea. The conjunctiva becomes dry, thick and wrinkled. If untreated, it can lead to corneal ulceration and ultimately to blindness as a result of corneal damage.
Cause and treatment
Xerophthalmia is caused by a severe vitamin A deficiency .
The treatment is thus clearly to eat more foods which contain Vitamin A [NOT supplements].