Vitamin B Deficiencies & Vision

Your body needs a variety to nutrients to function properly. One set of nutrients, called B vitamins, plays an important role in your health and well-being. These vitamins include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, biotin, folic acid and vitamin B12. If you have a deficiency in these nutrients you may experience a number of symptoms, and some deficiencies may cause vision problems. Knowing signs of a deficiency will help you discuss symptoms with your doctor.

Thiamine

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, helps in the converting carbohydrates to energy, and this nutrient also plays a significant role in the function of your nervous system, heart and other muscles. A deficiency in thiamine is often referred to as beriberi. General symptoms of a deficiency include muscle pain, exaggerated reflexes, weakness in extremities, changes in heart rate and confusion. In relation to your eyes, a B1 deficiency may cause abnormal eye movements, also referred to as a nystagmus. These eye movements could cause double vision or other vision changes. Treatment such as increased thiamine intake will often result in a rapid improvement in vision symptoms.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps form your body's red blood cells, and this nutrient also helps your neurological systems function properly. A deficiency may cause tingling in your extremities, poor balance, depression and confusion. You may also experience loss of vision related to vitamin B12 deficiency. Your doctor may recommend supplements to raise your levels of vitamin B12, and this may improve your symptoms. To ensure that you have a return of vision, contact your doctor at the first sign of a deficiency or vision change.

Biotin

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7, and this nutrient helps your body use sugar and fats efficiently, as well as helping to provide and maintain energy in your cells. A deficiency in this nutrient may result in depression and hallucinations, as well as tingling and numbness in arms and legs. Low biotin levels may also cause a rash on areas of your face or genitals. The facial rash could appear around your mouth or eyes. You should not notice changes to your vision from this rash, but if the rash causes any swelling on your eyelids, this could result in minor vision changes. If you have these symptoms, your doctor may test your levels of biotin and recommend a supplement if appropriate.

Other B Vitamins

A deficiency in niacin, also known as vitamin B3, does not cause visual side effects. Low niacin levels may result in a rash, diarrhea, changes in cognition or death. A deficiency in panthothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is rare, but if you have low levels you may experience symptoms such as tingling and numbness in your feet and hands, insomnia, headache and fatigue. Vitamin B6 does not cause eye-related symptoms, but may result in skin inflammation, cognition problems, convulsions and a sore tongue. If you have a deficiency in vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, you may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, improper growth, mouth ulcers, tongue swelling and gray hair.

Considerations

Vision changes and any other symptom associated with a vitamin deficiency could stem from a number of causes, so you should inform your doctor when you experience any unusual changes. She will listen to your symptoms and most likely recommend lab tests to determine the levels of these nutrients in your blood. If you do have a deficiency, your doctor may recommend diet changes or a daily vitamin supplement to resolve the deficiency and improve your symptoms.