What vitamin deficiency makes your eyes dry? A guide to nutritional causes.

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Globally, hundreds of thousands of children become blind each year due to severe vitamin A deficiency, one of the most drastic consequences of an inadequate diet. However, even mild, subclinical deficiencies can cause uncomfortable symptoms like dry eyes, prompting many to ask what vitamin deficiency makes your eyes dry. Beyond vitamin A, a number of other essential nutrients play a critical role in maintaining ocular surface health and lubrication.

Quick Summary

Dry eye syndrome can be linked to deficiencies in several key nutrients, including vitamins A, D, B12, and B2. These vitamins are crucial for proper tear film composition, corneal health, and immune regulation of the eye. Ensuring a balanced diet rich in these and other eye-friendly nutrients is vital for preventing and managing dry eye symptoms.

Key Points

Vitamin A Deficiency Causes Xerophthalmia: Lack of Vitamin A is a major cause of dry eyes, potentially leading to night blindness and permanent corneal damage if severe.
Vitamin D Regulates Eye Inflammation: Low levels of Vitamin D are linked to dry eye syndrome due to its role in regulating inflammation on the ocular surface.
Vitamin B12 Repairs Corneal Nerves: A lack of Vitamin B12 is associated with eye pain and dry eyes because it helps repair the nerves on the eye's outer surface.
Riboflavin (B2) Supports Eye Tissues: Insufficient Riboflavin can cause symptoms like burning and itching, as it's needed to maintain healthy corneal and conjunctival tissues.
Omega-3s Improve Tear Film Stability: These fatty acids are crucial for maintaining the oily layer of the tear film, which helps prevent tear evaporation and provides relief from dry eye symptoms.
Address Underlying Causes for Relief: While dietary changes are key, it's vital to consult a healthcare professional to identify and treat the specific nutritional deficiency or other health issues contributing to dry eyes.

The Crucial Connection Between Nutrition and Dry Eyes

Proper nutrition is fundamental to every aspect of health, and the eyes are no exception. The tear film, which provides lubrication and protection to the eye's surface, is a complex composition of water, mucus, and oils, and its stability is highly dependent on sufficient nutrient intake. When the body lacks certain essential vitamins, it can compromise tear production, affect the health of ocular tissues, and increase inflammation, leading to the discomfort and irritation of dry eyes.

The Primary Culprits: Vitamin Deficiencies Causing Dry Eyes

While multiple factors can contribute to dry eye syndrome (DED), research has identified several key vitamin deficiencies that are directly linked to the condition.

Vitamin A: The Corneal Protector

Vitamin A is arguably the most well-known vitamin associated with eye health. Its deficiency can lead to a condition called xerophthalmia, which begins with night blindness and can progress to severe dryness and damage of the cornea. Vitamin A is essential for:

Maintaining the cornea: It plays a vital role in forming and protecting the clear outer layer of the eye.
Supporting goblet cells: These cells in the conjunctiva produce the mucin layer of tears, and their health is dependent on adequate vitamin A.
Producing visual pigments: Crucial for adapting to darkness and overall visual function.

Vitamin D: The Anti-Inflammatory Modulator

Emerging research points to a strong link between vitamin D deficiency and dry eye syndrome. With its potent anti-inflammatory properties, vitamin D helps reduce inflammation on the eye's surface. Studies have shown that supplementation may improve tear quality and stabilize the tear film in those with low levels. Low vitamin D has been linked to decreased tear break-up time and lower tear production.

Vitamin B12: The Nerve Regenerator

A deficiency in vitamin B12 has been directly associated with severe dry eye and eye pain. This is because B12 is crucial for the health of the body's nerve cells. In the eye, it may help repair the delicate corneal nerve layer, which can be damaged in dry eye conditions. This nerve damage is often responsible for the burning sensation and discomfort experienced by sufferers. Combining oral B12 supplements with artificial tears has shown promise in clinical studies for improving symptoms.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): The Ocular Tissue Guardian

Riboflavin deficiency can affect eye health, with symptoms including burning, itching, and increased sensitivity to light. This is because riboflavin is necessary for the proper maintenance of corneal and conjunctival tissues. Without enough riboflavin, these tissues can become compromised, contributing to the symptoms of dry eye.

A Broader Nutritional Approach for Eye Health

It's important to remember that nutritional health is rarely about a single nutrient. Several other vitamins and fatty acids work synergistically to support eye health and combat dry eye symptoms. These include:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These healthy fats are known to support the oil-producing glands in the eyes (meibomian glands), strengthening the lipid layer of the tear film and reducing tear evaporation. Sources include fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): This vitamin is involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and neurotransmitter function, both of which can impact eye health and tear film stability.
Vitamin E: As a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin E helps protect the eyes from cellular damage and inflammation.
Vitamin C: Another potent antioxidant, Vitamin C is vital for collagen formation, which is a key component of the cornea.

Comparison Table of Key Vitamin Deficiencies and Dry Eye Symptoms


Vitamin Deficiency	Primary Eye-Related Function Compromised	Common Dry Eye Symptoms	Potential Severe Consequences (if untreated)
Vitamin A	Maintenance of cornea and goblet cells	Night blindness, dryness, spots on eyes	Corneal damage, ulcers, blindness
Vitamin D	Regulation of ocular inflammation	Itching, burning, redness, blurred vision	Exacerbated dry eye syndrome, inflammation
Vitamin B12	Nerve health and repair of corneal nerves	Burning sensation, eye pain, severe dryness	Corneal nerve layer damage
Vitamin B2	Maintenance of corneal and conjunctival tissue	Itching, burning, light sensitivity	Blurred vision, fatigue, impaired focus

How to Optimize Your Diet: Food Sources and Supplements

To address or prevent nutrient deficiencies, a balanced diet is the first line of defense. Here are excellent food sources for the vitamins and nutrients mentioned:

Vitamin A: Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale), carrots, sweet potatoes, eggs, dairy, and fish liver oil.
Vitamin D: Fortified dairy and plant-based milks, fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg yolks, and supplements.
Vitamin B12: Animal products like meat (beef, liver), poultry, fish (mackerel, salmon), eggs, and dairy. For fortified options, look at cereals and non-dairy milk.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Dairy products, eggs, lean meats, nuts, and leafy green vegetables.
Omega-3s: Fatty fish (salmon, sardines), walnuts, and flaxseeds.

For those unable to get enough through diet, supplements can be considered, but it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any regimen. A doctor can help determine the right dosage and rule out other underlying health conditions contributing to dry eye symptoms.

Conclusion: Taking a Holistic Approach to Eye Health

Ultimately, dry eye is a complex condition with numerous potential causes, but diet and nutrition are undeniably significant factors. Understanding what vitamin deficiency makes your eyes dry empowers you to take control of your eye health through dietary adjustments. Focusing on a diet rich in vitamins A, D, B12, and B2, along with other supportive nutrients like Omega-3s, can improve tear film stability, reduce inflammation, and alleviate irritating symptoms. Always seek advice from a healthcare provider or eye care professional to get a comprehensive diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan for your dry eye concerns.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or supplement routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a severe deficiency in vitamin A is a well-known cause of dry eyes, leading to a condition called xerophthalmia, which can result in night blindness and permanent corneal damage if left untreated.

Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation on the eye's surface. Studies have shown that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels can improve tear quality and help alleviate dry eye symptoms.

A deficiency in vitamin B12 is associated with dry eye pain because it is essential for the health and repair of the corneal nerve layer. Insufficient B12 can lead to nerve dysfunction, contributing to the burning and discomfort associated with dry eyes.

To increase your intake of riboflavin, incorporate dairy products, eggs, nuts, and leafy green vegetables into your diet. Riboflavin is essential for maintaining healthy ocular tissues.

Yes, Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for dry eyes because they help stabilize the oil layer of the tear film, which prevents tears from evaporating too quickly. They can be found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Besides vitamins A, D, and the B-vitamins, other nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc are beneficial for eye health. These antioxidants help protect the eyes from cellular damage and inflammation.

For most people, a balanced diet is the best way to get the nutrients needed for healthy eyes. However, if your dry eye symptoms are caused by a deficiency, supplements may be recommended by a healthcare professional after testing your levels. Always consult a doctor before starting any supplement regimen.