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Bariatric, gastric surgery may lead to ocular problems
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Vitamin A deficiency should be suspected in patients with unexplained decreases in vision and a history of intestinal surgery, according to a study.
Teresa Chae and Rod Foroozan retrospectively reviewed the clinical findings of all patients diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency seen at a single neuro-ophthalmic practice over the course of a year. From January to December 2005, four patients were identified with decreased vision as a result of vitamin A deficiency. Three patients had undergone intestinal surgery more than 18 years before vision problems occurred.
The patients developed the deficiency “despite taking oral vitamin supplementation, although none was being treated specifically for vitamin A deficiency,” the authors said.
“Even a remote history of intestinal bypass surgery, especially in the setting of comorbidities such as liver disease, should raise the suspicion of vitamin A deficiency,” they said.
The case series is published in the June issue of British Journal of Ophthalmology.