@article{43ae923dfc594d499794a8afbdc10832,
title = "Return of goblet cells after vitamin A therapy in xerosis of the conjunctiva",
abstract = "Vitamin A deficiency was documented in two patients with chronic alcoholism who were seen initially with bacterial corneal ulcers. Both patients demonstrated keratotic changes of the conjunctiva, with the appearance of dry eyes despite normal tear volumes. Absence of goblet cells upon conjunctival biopsy supports the concept that deficiency of conjunctival mucus is important in the ocular pathology of vitamin A deficiency. In one case, treatment with vitamin A restored a normal clinical appearance. We were able to correlate this clinical improvement with a reversal of the histopathologic appearance of the conjunctiva, including the reappearance of conjunctival goblet cells.",
author = "Sullivan, {William R.} and McCulley, {James P.} and Dohlman, {Claes H.}",
note = "Funding Information: Two cases are described here in which hypovitaminosis A was recognized in adult, alcoholic patients who were seen by the ophthalmologist because of bacterial corneal ulcers. Conjunctival biopsies confirmed a possible mechanism for the dry eye seen in vitamin A deficiency. In one case, treatment with systemic vitamin A caused relief of clinical signs and symptoms, and this clinical improvement was correlated with reversal of the histopathologic abnormalities, and the From the Department of Cornea Research, Retina Foundation, and the Cornea Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts. This study was supported in part by Public Health Service Project Center Grant EY-00292, Research Grant EY-00208, Training Grant EY-00043. Training Grant S TOI EY-00018 (Sullivan and McCulley), all from the National Eye Institute, and in part by the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, Inc.",
year = "1973",
month = apr,
doi = "10.1016/0002-9394(73)90828-3",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "75",
pages = "720--725",
journal = "American journal of ophthalmology",
issn = "0002-9394",
publisher = "Elsevier USA",
number = "4",
}