ESCRS - POCOR011 - Vitamin A Deficiency: A Rare Cause Of Neurotrophic Keratopathy

Vitamin A Deficiency: A Rare Cause Of Neurotrophic Keratopathy

Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: POCOR011 | Type: Case Report | DOI: 10.82333/c0jr-dq11

Authors: Dr Rand Nasser Alazaz* 1 , Dr Huda Al Ghadeer 2

1Ophthalmology Department,King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia, 2Emergency Department,King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Research Center,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Purpose

We report a case of neurotrophic keratopathy resulting from Vitamin A deficiency.

Setting

The case presented to a the emergency department of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Saudi Arabia. 

Report of case

This case involves a 2-year-old girl who arrived at the Emergency Department with a history of intense ocular discomfort and diminished vision in her right eye. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/200 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. The slit lamp examination indicated a persisting corneal epithelial defect consistent with stage 2 neurotrophic keratitis. She started therapy for vitamin deficiency and used topical eye drops for neurotrophic keratitis after the management resulted in the complete repair of the corneal epithelial defect and the observation of corneal scarring.

Conclusion/Take home message

Ophthalmologists must recognize the correlation between Vitamin A deficiency and neurotrophic keratitis.