Acquired night blindness due to bad eating patterns

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015 Jun;69(6):752-4. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2015.35. Epub 2015 Mar 25.

Abstract

We report a case of acquired night blindness in a developed country (Spain) without risk factors for nutritional deficiency disease or family history of hereditary retinal disease. A 76-year-old woman presented with acquired night blindness of 6-month progression. After a thorough inquiry about eating patterns she becomes suspicious of vitamin A low dietary intake, which is analytically confirmed and successfully treated. Despite being very uncommon in our environment and even more in patients without digestive problems, in a patient reporting acquired night blindness vitamin A deficiency should not be discarded until eating patterns have been investigated. It might be especially relevant in certain socioeconomic situations and eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diet / adverse effects*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Disease Progression
  • Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Night Blindness / etiology*
  • Night Blindness / physiopathology
  • Night Blindness / prevention & control
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Spain
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / diagnosis
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / diet therapy
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / etiology*
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / physiopathology

Substances

  • Vitamin A