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Keratomalacia
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Keratomalaciais not the name you expected.
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Keratomalacia is an eye (ocular) condition, usually affecting both eyes (bilateral), that results from severe deficiency of vitamin A. That deficiency may be dietary (i.e., intake) or metabolic (i.e., absorption). Vitamin A is essential for normal vision as well as proper bone growth, healthy skin, and protection of the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts against infection.
Early symptoms may include poor vision at night or in dim light (night blindness) and extreme dryness of the eyes (i.e., xerophthalmia), followed by wrinkling, progressive cloudiness, and increasing softening of the corneas (i.e., keratomalacia). With advancing vitamin A deficiency, dry, "foamy," silver-gray deposits (Bitot spots) may appear on the delicate membranes covering the whites of the eyes. Without adequate treatment, increasing softening of the corneas may lead to corneal infection, rupture (perforation), and degenerative tissue changes, resulting in blindness. In addition, in some cases, vitamin A deficiency may have additional effects, particularly during infancy and childhood.
In some developing countries, vitamin A deficiency in the diet and associated keratomalacia are a major cause of childhood blindness. In such regions, vitamin A deficiency often occurs as part of nonselective general malnutrition in infants and young children. Although rare in developed countries, vitamin A deficiency and keratomalacia may occur secondary to conditions associated with impaired absorption, storage, or transport of vitamin A, such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, or intestinal bypass surgery and any condition that affects absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
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Resources
National Association for Visually Handicapped
22 West 21st Street
New York
NY
10010
USA
Tel: (212)889-3141
Fax: (212)727-2931
staff@navh.org
http://www.navh.org
National Eye Research Foundation
910 Skokie Boulevard
Suite 207A
Northbrook
IL
60062
Tel: (847)564-4652
Fax: (847)564-0807
800: (800)621-2258
nerf1955@aol.com
http://www.nerf.org
Prevent Blindness America
211 West Wacker Drive
Suite 1700
Chicago
IL
60606
Tel: (312)363-6001
Fax: (312)363-6052
800: (800)331-2020
info@preventblindness.org
http://www.preventblindness.org
NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda
MD
20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)907-8906
800: (800)891-5389
nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
NIH/National Eye Institute
Building 31 Rm 6A32
31 Center Dr MSC 2510
Bethesda
MD
20892-2510
United States
Tel: (301)496-5248
Fax: (301)402-1065
2020@nei.nih.gov
http://www.nei.nih.gov/
World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO)
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
525 23rd Street NW
Washington
DC
20037
Tel: (202)974-3000
Fax: (202)974-3663
postmaster@paho.org
http://www.who.ch/
Blind Children's Center
4120 Marathon Street
Los Angeles
CA
90029-3584
USA
Tel: (323)664-2153
Fax: (323)665-3828
800: (800)222-3566
info@blindchildrenscenter.org
http://www.blindchildrenscenter.org
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/21/2008
Copyright 1990, 2001, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
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