Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis

Definition

In conjunctival xerosis the epithelium of the conjunctiva is transformed from the normal columnar to the stratified squamous type, with a resultant loss of goblet cells, formation of a granular cell layer, and keratinization of the surface. Clinically, these changes are expressed as marked dryness or unwettability, the affected area appearing roughened, with fine droplets or bubbles on the surface, rather than smooth and glistening. Conjunctival xerosis first appears in the temporal quadrant, as an isolated oval or triangular patch adjacent to the limbus in the interpalpebral fissure. It is almost always present in both eyes.

Also indexed as

Nearby in Vitamin A deficiency

• 5B55.0Vitamin A deficiency with night blindness
• 5B55.2Vitamin A deficiency with conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spots
• 5B55.3Vitamin A deficiency with corneal xerosis
• 5B55.4Vitamin A deficiency with corneal ulceration or keratomalacia
• 5B55.5Vitamin A deficiency with xerophthalmic scars of cornea or blindness
• 4B4YOther specified diseases of the immune system
• 4B4ZDiseases of the immune system, unspecified