Can Low Vitamin A Cause Dry Eyes? The Definitive Guide

January 7, 2026 •

5 min read

According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness globally, affecting millions and directly causing a condition known as xerophthalmia. This spectrum of eye diseases often begins with a seemingly simple issue: dry eyes. This article explores the critical link between low vitamin A and dry eyes, explaining why this essential nutrient is vital for ocular moisture and overall eye health.

Quick Summary

A lack of vitamin A can cause dry eyes, as this nutrient is crucial for producing the lubricating moisture needed for healthy corneas. This deficiency can progress from night blindness to more severe conditions like corneal ulcers if left unaddressed. Understanding this link is vital for early diagnosis and treatment.

Key Points

Essential for Eye Moisture: Vitamin A is vital for the health of the epithelial cells on the eye's surface, which produce mucin for a stable tear film and lubricated cornea.
Dry Eye is an Early Symptom: Inability to produce tears and dry eyes, medically known as xerophthalmia, is one of the earliest signs of a vitamin A deficiency.
Night Blindness is a Precursor: The inability to see well in low light, or night blindness, often precedes severe ocular dryness and signals a systemic vitamin A deficiency.
Severe Consequences are Possible: If left untreated, the condition can progress to corneal ulcers, scarring, and irreversible blindness.
Supplementation is Often the Treatment: Correcting a diagnosed deficiency usually involves a course of vitamin A supplements under a doctor's supervision.
Risk Factors Exist in Developed Nations: Though rare in the US due to diet, malabsorption conditions like Crohn's and cystic fibrosis can still cause deficiency.
Focus on Diet for Prevention: A balanced diet rich in animal- and plant-based vitamin A sources is the best preventative measure.
High Doses Can Be Toxic: Medical supervision is critical for high-dose supplementation, as excessive vitamin A can be harmful.

How Vitamin A Deficiency Affects Your Eyes

Vitamin A, or retinol, is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for several bodily functions, with a particularly significant role in vision and ocular health. Its deficiency, known as hypovitaminosis A, has a direct impact on the eyes' ability to stay moist and function properly. This process is complex, involving the deterioration of the eye's delicate epithelial tissues and a subsequent cascade of problems.

The Tear Film and Epithelial Health

Your eyes are protected by a complex tear film, which consists of three main layers: a mucous layer, a watery aqueous layer, and an oily lipid layer. A key function of vitamin A is to maintain the health of the epithelial cells on the surface of the conjunctiva and cornea. These cells, which include goblet cells, are responsible for producing the mucin that forms the tear film's mucous layer.

When vitamin A levels are insufficient, the normal, moist, mucin-producing epithelium is replaced by a keratinized, dry, and hardened epithelium. This process is known as squamous metaplasia. This change disrupts the tear film's stability, leading to a breakdown in the mucous layer and causing the aqueous tears to evaporate too quickly. The result is a sensation of dryness, grittiness, and irritation.

The Role of Rhodopsin and Night Vision

In addition to its role in surface lubrication, vitamin A is crucial for the retina, specifically for producing rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a light-sensitive pigment in the rod cells that allows for vision in low-light conditions. The inability of the eyes to produce enough rhodopsin due to vitamin A deficiency is why night blindness (nyctalopia) is often one of the first and most recognizable symptoms. While night blindness is a different symptom from dry eyes, it serves as an early warning sign of a broader vitamin A problem affecting the entire visual system.

Symptoms and Progression of Xerophthalmia

As a vitamin A deficiency worsens, the symptoms progress through several stages, known collectively as xerophthalmia, or "dry eye" in Greek.

Night Blindness (XN): The initial symptom, indicating problems with the retina's rod cells.
Conjunctival Xerosis (X1A): The white of the eye and the thin tissue lining the eyelids become dry and dull-looking.
Bitot's Spots (X1B): Foamy, silver-gray, triangular spots appear on the whites of the eyes. These spots are a buildup of keratinized cells and are a strong clinical indicator of vitamin A deficiency.
Corneal Xerosis (X2): The cornea, the clear, front surface of the eye, becomes dry and hazy, marking a more advanced stage of the disease.
Corneal Ulceration and Keratomalacia (X3A/X3B): This is a severe, sight-threatening stage where the cornea softens and open sores or ulcers develop. This can lead to corneal scarring and, ultimately, permanent blindness.

Dietary and Absorption-Related Causes

While vitamin A deficiency is rare in developed countries with diverse diets, it can still occur, particularly due to malabsorption issues. In developing countries, however, it remains a major public health problem driven by insufficient dietary intake.

Common Causes of Vitamin A Deficiency:

Inadequate Diet: A diet consistently lacking in vitamin A-rich foods, both animal-based (retinol) and plant-based (beta-carotene), is the primary cause in impoverished regions.
Malabsorption Disorders: Conditions that affect the body's ability to absorb fats can also hinder vitamin A absorption, as it is a fat-soluble vitamin. These include:
- Celiac disease
- Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic diarrhea
- Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis
Increased Demand: Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children during rapid growth, have higher vitamin A requirements. In these cases, insufficient intake can lead to deficiency.
Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol consumption can impair the liver's ability to store and metabolize vitamin A effectively.

Treatment and Prevention

The good news is that dry eyes caused by vitamin A deficiency can often be reversed with proper treatment, especially if caught early. Treatment typically involves supplementation and addressing any underlying malabsorption issues.

Intervention Strategies for Dry Eye Caused by Vitamin A Deficiency


Treatment Approach	Description	Key Advantage	Limitation
Oral Vitamin A Supplementation	Taking high-dose vitamin A supplements orally for a short period, followed by maintenance doses.	Rapidly restores systemic vitamin A levels, can reverse night blindness and dry eye symptoms.	High doses can be toxic, requires medical supervision to avoid hypervitaminosis A.
Dietary Modification	Incorporating more vitamin A-rich foods, including both animal sources (retinol) and plant sources (beta-carotene).	Safe, sustainable long-term solution that provides other essential nutrients.	Slower results than high-dose supplements, may be insufficient for severe deficiencies or malabsorption issues.
Topical Ointments/Drops	Applying vitamin A-based eye ointments or gels directly to the eye.	Can directly improve the health of the ocular surface and relieve dryness.	Does not address the underlying systemic deficiency, may not be available in all regions.

It is crucial to work with a healthcare provider to determine the correct dosage and approach for your specific needs. High-dose vitamin A supplementation should always be managed by a doctor, especially in pregnant women and children, due to toxicity risks.

To prevent vitamin A deficiency, focus on a balanced diet rich in a variety of foods. Excellent sources of preformed vitamin A (retinol) include liver, eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based sources of provitamin A (beta-carotene) include colorful vegetables and fruits like sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, and cantaloupe. Combining these with healthy fats in your meals aids absorption, as vitamin A is fat-soluble.

Conclusion

Yes, a lack of vitamin A can cause dry eyes, a condition medically known as xerophthalmia. This occurs because vitamin A is essential for maintaining the health of the eye's epithelial surface and the production of a stable tear film. When vitamin A levels are low, the surface of the eye can become dry, leading to irritation and, if untreated, more serious damage and even blindness. While a well-balanced diet is the best long-term strategy for prevention, treatment for a confirmed deficiency often involves medical supplementation. Anyone experiencing persistent dry eye symptoms, especially in conjunction with night blindness, should consult a healthcare professional to rule out a nutritional deficiency. Addressing the root cause can provide effective relief and prevent permanent damage to vision.

For more information on eye nutrition, consider visiting the American Academy of Ophthalmology's website for authoritative resources and guidelines. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/vitamin-deficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical term for dry eyes and other ocular problems resulting from vitamin A deficiency is xerophthalmia.

Low vitamin A causes the specialized epithelial cells on the eye's surface to deteriorate. These cells, particularly the goblet cells, are essential for producing mucin, a key component of the tear film, leading to inadequate lubrication.

Yes, if left untreated, severe vitamin A deficiency can lead to corneal ulcers and keratomalacia, which can result in permanent scarring and blindness.

Bitot's spots are foamy, whitish patches on the conjunctiva (the white of the eye) that are a specific sign of vitamin A deficiency. They are a visible manifestation of the pathological changes associated with xerophthalmia and ocular dryness.

Foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, kale, liver, eggs, and dairy products. Both animal-based (retinol) and plant-based (beta-carotene) sources are important.

Improvement with supplementation depends on the severity of the deficiency. Mild dry eye symptoms may improve in 1–2 weeks with proper intake, while more chronic or severe cases may take longer.

While rare in the general population of developed countries, those with certain health conditions that cause malabsorption, such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, or liver problems, are most at risk.