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Ocular findings in cystic fibrosis patients receiving vitamin A supplementation

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Abstract

• Background: Vitamin A deficiency with eye symptoms has been reported in patients with cystic fibrosis who received the recommended daily intake of vitamin A. • Methods: We measured serum retinol, dark adaptation, contrast sensitivity, and dry eye status in 35 adult cystic fibrosis patients to ascertain whether they had ocular signs or symptons. • Results: Median serum retinol concentration was 1.95 μmol/l, range 1.08–4.01 μmol/l, with no values indicating vitamin A deficiency. Retinal light sensitivity was normal. Nineteen patients had reduced contrast sensitivity. Conjunctival imprints all showed plenty of goblet cells, but were characteristic of dry eye in 42% of patients (n=14). Decreased tear film stability was found in 49% (n=17), tear production was low in 31% (n=11), and 23% (n=8) showed an increased amount of dying epithelial cells. Nine patients (26%) had keratocon-junctivitis sicca according to the Copenhagen criteria. • Conclusion: Our patients had no biochemical or clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency. We speculate that the high incidence of dry eye could be a primary manifestation of cystic fibrosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Cystic Fibrosis Center, State University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen O, Denmark

    Jean Christian Morkeberg, Susanne Lanng, Christin Koch & Kim Fleischer Michaelsen

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Box 391 UMHC, 55455, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Jean Christian Morkeberg

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, State University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen O, Denmark

    Carsten Edmund & Jan Ulrik Prause

  4. Clinic of Aviation Medicine, State University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen O, Denmark

    Carsten Edmund

  5. Eye Pathology Institute, University of Copenhagen, Frederik d. V's vej 11, DK-2100, Copenhagen O, Denmark

    Jan Ulrik Prause

  6. Research Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 25, DK-1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Kim Fleischer Michaelsen

Authors
  1. Jean Christian Morkeberg
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  2. Carsten Edmund
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  3. Jan Ulrik Prause
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  4. Susanne Lanng
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  5. Christin Koch
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  6. Kim Fleischer Michaelsen
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Morkeberg, J.C., Edmund, C., Prause, J.U. et al. Ocular findings in cystic fibrosis patients receiving vitamin A supplementation. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 233, 709–713 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00164674

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00164674

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