---
title: "Vitamin A deficiency (xerophthalmia) | Eye Health Guide"
description: "How vitamin A deficiency harms the eyes, why WHO classes xerophthalmia as a cause of childhood blindness, and how diet and supplements protect sight."
url: https://eyehealthguide.org/conditions/vitamin-a-deficiency/
source: Eye Health Guide
licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer."
---

Condition

# Vitamin A deficiency (xerophthalmia)

Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026

### About this review

This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded.

[How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/)

Quick answer

Vitamin A deficiency damages the surface of the eye and night vision, causing a condition called xerophthalmia. It is one of the leading preventable causes of blindness in children in low-income settings. Prevention through diet, breastfeeding support and targeted supplements is highly effective.

### On this page ⌄

1. Your next step
2. What it is
3. Signs in the eye
4. WHO prevention
5. In high-income countries
6. Related conditions
7. Frequently asked questions

## What it is

Vitamin A is essential for the tear film, cornea and retina. Deficiency dries and clouds the eye surface (xerophthalmia) and reduces night vision, progressing in severe cases to corneal ulcers and blindness.

## Signs in the eye

Eye changes may accompany general malnutrition.

- Dry, bitot spots on the white of the eye
- Night blindness
- Corneal clouding or ulcers
- Blindness in severe untreated cases

## WHO prevention

WHO recommends vitamin A supplementation for at-risk children, promotion of breastfeeding, and diets rich in vitamin A from animal foods and orange or dark green vegetables. Public health programmes have cut blindness rates sharply.

## In high-income countries

Clinically significant vitamin A eye disease is rare where diets are adequate, but severe malabsorption or restrictive diets can occasionally affect the eye surface. Any child with dry corneas or night blindness needs urgent assessment.

## Related conditions

## Frequently asked questions

### Can vitamin A deficiency cause blindness?

Yes. Severe deficiency causes xerophthalmia, a leading preventable cause of childhood blindness worldwide, which is why WHO runs supplementation programmes.

### What foods help prevent vitamin A eye problems?

Liver, eggs, dairy, and colourful vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato and leafy greens provide vitamin A or its precursors, alongside breastfeeding for infants.

### Is vitamin A eye disease common in the UK or US?

It is rare where nutrition is adequate, but it remains an important global health topic and may occur with severe malnutrition or malabsorption.

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[Donate at World Aid Network](https://worldaidnetwork.org/donate)[World Aid Network eye health](https://worldaidnetwork.org/eye-health)[Their page on this condition](https://worldaidnetwork.org/eye-health/trachoma)[How this site relates to the charity](https://eyehealthguide.org/support/)

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Your next step

## Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

## Sources for this information

These references support the information on this page. Follow the linked source for its full context.

- [NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin A](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer/)