Xerophthalmia is controlled by which of the following vitamins?

MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO -2021 (Shift 1st)

Explanation

Xerophthalmia is a condition characterized by abnormal dryness of the eye, specifically the conjunctiva and cornea.
This condition is directly caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy epithelial tissues and for the visual cycle (production of rhodopsin for night vision).
The progression from night blindness to xerophthalmia and potentially keratomalacia (corneal softening) are classic signs of severe Vitamin A deficiency.
Therefore, controlling or preventing xerophthalmia is achieved through adequate intake or supplementation of Vitamin A.

Option A: Vitamin D deficiency does not cause xerophthalmia. Its primary role is in calcium and phosphate metabolism.
Option B: Vitamin B refers to a complex of several vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, etc.). Deficiencies in this group cause a wide range of issues like beriberi (B1), pellagra (B3), or pernicious anemia (B12), but not xerophthalmia.
Option D: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Its deficiency is rare in humans but can cause neurological problems and hemolytic anemia in premature infants.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The role of vitamins in preventing deficiency diseases, specifically focusing on Vitamin A and its relation to eye health as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in preventing Vitamin A deficiency by educating parents and communities about dietary sources (e.g., carrots, spinach, mangoes, liver, eggs) and administering prophylactic doses of Vitamin A to children as per the national immunization schedule.
Early identification of night blindness is critical. A nurse should ask specific questions during health assessments, such as 'Does your child have trouble seeing or moving around in the dark?', to screen for early signs of deficiency.
What if? If a child presents with measles, the risk of developing severe xerophthalmia increases dramatically. In this case, the nurse must ensure the child receives a high dose of Vitamin A immediately, as measles depletes the body's vitamin A stores.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Xerophthalmia'.
Recall or deduce the meaning of Xerophthalmia. The prefix 'xero-' means dry, and 'ophthalm-' relates to the eye. So, it's a condition of dry eyes.
Access your knowledge about fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and their primary functions and deficiency diseases.
Connect the condition (dry eyes) to the known functions of the vitamins listed in the options.
Vitamin A is famously linked to vision and eye health. Its deficiency is known to cause night blindness and dry eyes.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their primary roles: Vitamin D for bones, Vitamin B for metabolism and nerves, and Vitamin E as an antioxidant.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The role of vitamins in preventing deficiency diseases, specifically focusing on Vitamin A and its relation to eye health.
Stem keywords: Xerophthalmia, vitamins
Lead-in keywords: controlled by
Negative lead-in flag: false

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