Xeropathilimia

Technically, the term is XEROS + OPHTHALMIA =dryness of the eyes. Xeropthalmia: Dry eyes. Also, called conjunctivitis arida, Xeropthalmia can be associated with systemic diseases (such as Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, and others) or deficiency of vitamin A. Xeropthalmia results from inadequate function of the lacrimal glands, which supply water to produce tears. When xeropthalmia is due to vitamin A deficiency, the condition begins with night blindness and conjunctival xerosis (dryness of the eye membranes) and progresses to corneal xerosis (dryness of the cornea), and, in the late stages, to keratomalacia (softening of the cornea). Series of changes in the eye can lead to blindness.

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency:

Prevention of Xeropthalmia is possible by taking plenty of vitamin A so that there is no deficiency of this essential vitamin in the body.

Causes of Deficiency:

Vitamin A blindness is both the easiest and the cheapest major nutritional illness to cure. Vitamin A is probably the most important of all vitamins. Its great importance is demonstrated dramatically in that, more than nay other vitamin, deficiencies of Vitamin A are still widespread throughout the world and involve millions of persons, especially children.

Dark green vegetables, orange-yellow vegetables, whole milk, butter, cheese, eggs, fish liver oils, all liver.

Immunity (vitamin A is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the mucus membranes). It is necessary for differentiation of basal cells into mucus epithelial cells. It is needed for growth and development of enamel (forming epithelial cells), skeletal tissues, and soft tissues. Vitamin A is also necessary for humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and for normal reproduction and lactation. Retinyl esters from the diet are converted to retinal in the eye. Retinal is then combined with the protein opsin to form rhodopsin in the rods of the retina and iodopsin in the cones. Steroid hormone synthesis and cell differentiation also need vitamin A.

Any eye disease is naturally distressing for the patient. Today there is plenty that can be done to alleviate this. Including doses of vitamin A in the diet is one way of avoiding xeropathilimia. The worse thing to do is to assume that any disease is incurable. A positive attitude is necessary for successful treatment. Avoid exposures to the sun and perform slow neck rolls and other eye exercises.