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Query: UMLS:C0314719 (dry eye)
 2,625 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We report the effects of CBS-211 A, a synthetic retinoic acid analog, on a previously described experimental model of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in the rabbit. A 9-week topical treatment with 0.02% CBS-211 A in aqueous vehicle significantly increased the conjunctival goblet cell density (P less than 0.01, impression cytology counting), stopped the evolution of the corneo-conjunctival surface alteration (P less than 0.05, rose bengal test), and restored a basically normal mucosecretory product quality in goblet cells (lectin histochemistry) compared to vehicle treatment. The results assess the efficacy of this compound in reversing KCS pathology in a relevant model different from general vitamin A deficiency models, and strongly support the rationale for using such a well-tolerated retinoid in dry eye treatment.
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PMID:Beneficial effects of a retinoic acid analog, CBS-211 A, on an experimental model of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. 173 May 41

Impression cytology refers to the application of cellulose acetate filter material to the ocular surface to remove the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. Impression cytology has been found to be useful in assessing the ocular surface in various dry eye disorders, such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), cicatricial ocular pemphigoid, and vitamin A deficiency. The technique is noninvasive, is easy to perform, causes minimal discomfort to the patient, and can be used to follow changes in the conjunctival ocular surface over time. With this method, the morphology of the conjunctival ocular surface can be studied and the degree of squamous metaplasia assessed. A specific criteria based on the appearance of the epithelial cells and the density of the goblet cells can be used to assign a grade (0-3) to the ocular surface. The grade of the ocular surface is related to the degree of squamous metaplasia and usually parallels the severity of clinical disease. Impression cytology can also be used to differentiate between various dry eye disorders. Disorders that are extrinsic or environmental (such as KCS) often affect the exposed interpalpebral ocular surface before the more protected inferior palpebral ocular surface. Intrinsic surface disorders (such as ocular pemphigoid) affect the palpebral, as well as the bulbar ocular surfaces, early in the disease.
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PMID:Impression cytology. 328 Feb 39

Administration of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) to patients with intestinal failure requires attention to caloric content of feeds, fluid, electrolyte balance, and micronutrient status. Peripheral blood estimations of vitamins and trace elements may be abnormal, but their clinical significance in relation to deficiency or toxicity states is not always clear. We sought to determine the incidence and nature of clinical micronutrient abnormality in our HPN program. Clinical assessment and case record review of 49 patients actively receiving HPN was undertaken, and, in 32 of these patients, serum micronutrient levels were assayed. Clinical evidence of micronutrient deficiency was identified in 16 patients (33%). Iron deficiency anemia occurred in 14 patients which resolved after iron supplementation in all except 1 patient who had persistent intestinal blood loss. Anemia was precipitated in six patients by identifiable clinical events (acute gastrointestinal disease in five and menorrhagia in one), and in two others folate deficiency coexisted. Biotin deficiency developed in three patients, manifested by dry eyes and angular cheilitis or hair loss. Vitamin A deficiency resulting in visual disturbance developed in one patient who was not receiving multivitamin supplements at that time. Serum levels of zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, vitamin A, and vitamin E were measured in 32 patients. No patient had normal levels of all six micronutrients. Nevertheless, there was no clinical evidence of toxicity or deficiency in any of these patients at the time assays were performed. In conclusion, abnormalities of micronutrient status are common in HPN patients, but serious sequelae appear to be unusual.
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PMID:Micronutrient status in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition. 943 16

A 5-year-old boy with autism developed dry eye and xerophthalmia. Serum vitamin A was undetectable. Dietary history revealed a markedly altered intake consisting of only fried potatoes and rice balls for 2 years. Fried potatoes contain no vitamin A. Autism is a multifaceted developmental disorder infrequently accompanied by abnormal eating practices. To the authors' knowledge, most children with autism who develop dietary vitamin A deficiency have consumed an excess of fried potatoes. Attention to possible vitamin A deficiency is essential when fried potatoes are consumed exclusively.
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PMID:Fried-potato diet causes vitamin A deficiency in an autistic child. 2231 66

Clinical presentations associated with vitamin A deficiency persist in poor regions globally with the same clinical features as those described centuries ago. However, new forms of vitamin A deficiency affecting the eyes, which have become widespread, as a result of modern societal habits are of increasing concern. Ophthalmic conditions related to vitamin A deficiency require the combined attention of ophthalmologists, pediatricians, internists, dermatologists, and nutritionists due to their potential severity and the diversity of causes. As the eyes and their adnexa are particularly sensitive to vitamin A deficiency and excess, ocular disturbances are often early indicators of vitamin A imbalance. The present review describes the clinical manifestations of hypovitaminosis A with an emphasis on so-called modern dietary disorders and multidisciplinary treatment approaches. The present review also discusses the relationship between retinoic acid therapy and dry eye disease.
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PMID:Vitamin A and the eye: an old tale for modern times. 2684 Jan 72

An 8 years old male presented to our clinic with dry eye symptomes. Different therapiy attemps were made in the last few months and did not lead to any improvement. Examining this patient revealed multiple signs of vitamin A deficiency, which could confirmed by laboratory examination. The initial substitution of vitamin A led to a fast rehabilitation and a following nutrition consulting kept the patient symptom-free over 6 month follow up. Vitamin A deficiency -although rare in the developed countries- is an importent differential diagnosis of the dry eye especially in children. Vitamin A deficiency not only causes ocular manifistaion, but also general symptoms. Dietary change and initial subtitution is the key element for a fast and sustaining improvement.
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PMID:Therapy-resistant dry itchy eyes. 3133 12

The burden of corneal blindness and visual deficiency can be felt worldwide. Its association with several endemic diseases such as childhood blindness, trauma, infectious keratitis (including variants caused by herpes, hanseniasis, and fungi), vitamin A deficiency, diabetes mellitus, and other dry eye syndromes reflects its poorly understood underlying mechanisms and suggests that the actual frequency of the disease is underestimated. The low effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic strategies against corneal scarring or deformity predicts a high frequency of patients with corneal blindness in the future. Corneal blindness is associated with environmental factors and socioeconomic limitations that restrain health assistance and maintain a modest efficiency of the current therapeutic strategies for resolving corneal diseases in large-scale programs. We present here a critical review of the concepts associated with corneal blindness that need to be considered when planning strategies to prevent and treat corneal blindness worldwide (to be able to leave Plato's cave, where corneal blindness is encaged.
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PMID:Corneal blindness in Plato's cave: the acting forces to prevent and revert corneal opacity. Part I: epidemiology and new physiopathological concepts. 3308 21