Clinical Observation on Prevalence and Aetiology of Xerophthalmia in Children in North Bihar

摘要

Literally Xerophthalmia means "dry eye". WHO defined Xerophthalmia as a condition used exclusively by Ophthalmologists to describe the changes in the eye that occur when the secretion of paraocular gland and goblet cells of conjunctiva dry up, leading to discontinuity of fluid film over the surface of conjunctiva. Xerophthalmia is a grave disease commonly precipitated in children with diarrhoea, protein energy malnutrition, measles, jaundice, respiratory infection and other febrile illnesses, due to vitamin A deficiency. There is loss of goblet cells, squamous metaplasia and keratinization leading to deficient tear film adherence over conjunctiva and cornea.