Xerophthalmia and post-measles eye lesions in children in Tanzania : a study of nutritional, biochemical and ophthalmological aspects

From 1983 until 1986 a number of studies were carried out in collaboration with the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre on vitamin A deficiency and post-measles nutritional blindness.Prevalence surveys were carried out in four regions in Tanzania in order to estimate the magnitude of xerophthalmia where it was found to be a problem in certain clusters of villages. The retinol and carotenoid content of certain food products were analysed and the results subsequently used in a study to estimate the nutrient intake of children suffering from xerophthalmia. The intake of vitamin A in these children was low.In children with measles, serious eye lesions which may easily result in blindness, were observed in 3-4% of the children admitted to a number of hospitals. Serum retinol levels in these children were extremely low while in children with measles and not developing such lesions levels were somewhat higher although they were still rather low. These findings confirm the role of vitamin A in the aetiology of post-measles eye lesions.