BILATERAL CORNEAL ULCERS IN PRIMARY VITAMIN-A-DEFICIENCY

Purpose. To report a case of bilateral corneal ulcers and perforations resulting from hypovitaminosis A in an alcoholic patient. Methods. A 38-year-old cachetic man presented with bilateral corneal ulcerations and severe visual loss. He was hospitalized, developed bilateral corne al perforations, and was treated with bilateral corneal transplants. R esults, Serum vitamin A level was 0.01 mu g/dL (normal, 0.30-0.75). Th e electroretinogram was consistent with vitamin A deficiency. His clin ical status improved after vitamin A replacement. Conclusions. Althoug h rare in developed countries, the ophthalmologist must consider avita minosis A in the differential diagnosis of corneal ulcerations in cach etic, alcoholic, or chronically ill patients. Early diagnosis and trea tment can prevent unwanted outcomes.