Xerophthalmia is the medical term for an eye condition that occurs when a person suffers from a deficiency of vitamin A in their body. Lesions on the eyeballs, night vision difficulty, and dry eyes are some common symptoms of this eye condition.
Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health reveals that the most common reason behind the occurrence of xerophthalmia is vitamin A deficiency. Essentially, preventing this eye condition can include a boost in vitamin A intake in the body.
In this article, you’ll explore all the best possible ways to prevent xerophthalmia. So, let’s read till the end.
5 Ways To Prevent Xerophthalmia
Xerophthalmia can trigger both adults and children. The best way to prevent it from happening is to ensure there’s no chance of vitamin A deficiency in the body. To achieve this, you’ll have to follow a healthy and nutritious balanced diet full of foods rich in vitamin A.
Here are the following aspects that will help you maintain the right amount of vitamin A in your body and prevent xerophthalmia:
Proper Consumption of Vitamin-A-Rich Food Items
The ideal solution to the prevention of xerophthalmia is the proper and sufficient consumption of vitamin-A-rich food items via a balanced diet. These food sources include sweet potatoes, yams, dark green vegetables, fish, eggs, milk, carrots, and more.
Moreover, suppose you’ve other medical conditions or dietary restrictions that limit you from eating some or all of the vitamin-A-rich foods. In that case, you can choose to eat vitamin A supplements. Moreover, sufficient intake of vitamin A is also crucial when you’re pregnant and lactating.
Maintenance of Proper Hygiene & Sanitation
If you have some disease like worm infestation, diarrhea, tuberculosis, or respiratory tract infection, your likelihood of having vitamin A deficiency will increase significantly. The environment where you live and spend most of your days should be sanitized appropriately to decrease the prevalence of such health conditions.
One of the most effective ways to determine how an individual lives their life is by measuring their hygiene. If you prioritize self-hygiene, you’ll be able to cope with these diseases, reduce your chances of vitamin A deficiency, and prevent xerophthalmia.
Vaccination
Some vaccine-avertible diseases like measles contribute to being one of the provoking factors for xerophthalmia. You can eliminate such factors with immunization, which in turn helps prevent xerophthalmia.
Visit Well-Trained Doctors
The majority of cases happen to rural peasants and urban poor people who live in places with limited availability of trained healthcare professionals.
Children may develop keratomalacia – a severe form of xerophthalmia – when they don’t visit the doctor for any regular checkups. Thus, to prevent this condition, you must visit well-trained doctors.
Supplements Are Ideal Option For Pregnant Women
If you’re a pregnant woman, your doctor may recommend you eat supplements rich in vitamin A. This will help you develop retinol stores in your fetal liver, which must be stored and maintained during lactation.
It is advised to consume yellow and orange fruits or dark leafy vegetables that are locally available and are excellent sources of β-carotene. All this will not only help during pregnancy but also prevent you from xerophthalmia.
Overview of The Best Way To Prevent Xerophthalmia
If you prevent vitamin A deficiency in your body, you’ll surely be able to prevent xerophthalmia. You can start with the consumption of vitamin A-rich food sources like:
- Liver
- Carrots
- Fish
- Sweet potatoes
- Fruits like oranges and mangoes
- Spinach
Taking vitamin A supplements is also an option. However, you must consult your healthcare professional before taking any supplement or changing your diet.
You can effectively prevent xerophthalmia by taking care of medical conditions that result in nutritional deficiencies like chronic diarrhea or celiac disease.
What To Expect If You Have Xerophthalmia?
Xerophthalmia gets better at a faster pace with the help of vitamin A supplement intake. If your condition is severe, you may end up having impaired vision or scarring. In the worst-case scenario, which is rare, you may develop permanent blindness.
In this rapidly advancing medical world, xerophthalmia and vitamin A deficiency remain among the most prominent public health issues. The key to preventing such eye conditions from happening, you must follow a proper diet, including vitamin A-rich food sources.
Conclusion
If you or your kid doesn’t eat enough vitamin A food items or is at risk of its deficiency, chances are that either of you may develop xerophthalmia.
In that case, it’s best to consult the best doctor. Apollo Hospital has the most experienced and qualified ophthalmologists that can help you with this eye condition or the risk of this vitamin deficiency without any hassle.
So, get in touch with Ask Apollo today, get expert assistance, and ensure your eyes stay in the best condition possible!