E50.0: Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis

You have been found to have a vitamin A deficiency. The conjunctiva in your eye has dried out due to the vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A is important for vision along with the skin and mucous membranes. Furthermore, you need vitamin A to regenerate particular cells such as blood cells. You can obtain vitamin A through various foods like liver, fish and green vegetables.

A vitamin A deficiency can develop when you are taking too little vitamin A via food. It is also possible that your intestines aren’t able to properly absorb vitamin A into your body because of another disease.

The transparent conjunctiva covers the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Along with the tears, the conjunctiva forms a liquid film on the eye. Together, the conjunctiva, the eyelids, and the liquid film on the eye all protect the eye from external agents. The conjunctiva also helps defend against pathogens.

If the conjunctiva is dried out, the eyes may burn and be painful and reddened. Sometimes you may also feel as though you have a foreign object in your eye.