Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is important in maintaining the health of many of your organs, including your eyes. According to Medline Plus, of the National Institutes of Health, retinol is the active form of vitamin A that positively affects your eyesight. If you are vitamin A deficient, you may be more prone to vision problems. Therefore, it's important to eat the proper foods to maintain healthy eyes.
Bitot's Spot
Adequate amounts of vitamin A in your diet decreases your risk for certain eye disorders. Specifically, maintaining adequate levels of vitamin A in your bloodstream will prevent the development of a Bilot's spot, according to MayoClinic.com. A Bitot's spot is a buildup of hard tissue, or keratin, underneath the whites of your eyes, or conjunctiva. If you have a Bitot's spot, you will notice a whitish patch, which may be glossy or raised on your eye conjunctiva. Supplementation with vitamin A is a treatment for this condition.
Dry Eye
If your eyes are consistently dry, you may be vitamin A deficient. A lack of vitamin A intake has been correlated with an increased risk for xeropthalmia, or dry eye. MayoClinic.com states that an oral vitamin A supplement must be given immediately once xeropthalmia is diagnosed to relieve the symptoms of dry eye. In addition, you may want to use lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist until your vitamin A levels are replenished.
Poor Night Vision
You may have a genetic order related to both poor night vision and vitamin A deficiency. Specifically, a disorder termed retinitis pigmentosa is correlated to low vitamin A levels. Early symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com, include night blindness and a progression of vision problems over time. This condition is first treated with vitamin A supplementation.
Cataract Prevention
Cataracts are the clouding of the lens in the eye commonly related to diabetes, smoking, corticosteroid use, heavy sun exposure and eye injury. In addition, cataract formation is also correlated with a vitamin A deficiency. Although there is insufficient evidence to conclude that vitamin A prevents cataracts, preliminary studies have suggested that increasing carotenoids in your diet may prevent severe cataract formation.
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